The Patriotic Guitarist Thomas Amoriello Fleminton Raritan School District tamoriel@frsd.k12.nj.us
T
he United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams. Known as “The President’s Own” since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band’s mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. –USMBGuitarist Master Sergeant Alan Prather of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in July 1999. Master Sgt. Prather began his musical training on the guitar at age 8. After graduating in 1986 from Cuyahoga Falls High School, he attended the University of Akron (UA) in Ohio where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in music education in 1991. In 2012, he earned his Master’s degree in music education from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. His instructors included Dean Newton and Robert Fraser of UA. Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” he taught instrumental music in Nordonia Hills City School District in Ohio and freelanced with various ensembles. Master Sgt. Prather is a frequent soloist who leads, performs, and sings with a variety of Marine ensembles, including Free County, the Marine Jazz Orchestra, and the Marine Combo. Master Sgt. Prather, the son of Patricia and Donald Prather of Cuyahoga Falls, currently lives in Mechanicsville, Md., with his wife Deborah and their children. The NJMEA would like to thank Master Sergeant Alan Prather, USMC of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Corps Band, Colonel Jason K. Fettig, Director for sharing insight with the membership. Thank you to and kind regards to Gunnery Sergeant Rachel Ghadiali, USMC, Master Sergeant Amanda Simmons, USMC and Amanda Saunders for making this interview possible. For more information visit: https://www.marineband.marines.mil/ What is the audition process like for a guitarist interested in being a musician with the Marines? Prior to the audition for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, I was sent a list of songs I was expected to know. The list consisted of standard jazz, rock, and country. From that list the members of the audition committee chose the songs they wanted to hear,
which I then played with a rhythm section comprised of members of the band. Early on I had indicated that I can sing, so for the second round I was asked to sing a couple of songs in addition to playing a few more on the guitar. Along with the musical aspect of the audition, I was also interviewed by the committee on a variety of topics. “The President’s Own” does not have a combat mission, so we are exempt from basic training. Upon arrival to Washington, D.C., we are instructed in military customs and courtesies by the Drum Major of the band. Marine Barracks Washington, Washington, D.C. - Representative Scott Rigell plays the drums with members of the “The President’s Own” during the reception at the Home of the Commandants before the Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington, Washington, D.C., July 10, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tia Dufour/ Released
You have been a guitarist for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band for four presidencies. Do you have any memorable musical requests from a commander in chief? One particular request stands out from New Year’s Eve, 1999, at The White House. I was playing with a 5-piece group in a tent in the Rose Garden, but most of the guests were inside the residence. At one point during the evening, our tent was completely empty and in walked President Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea. He stepped up onto the bandstand beside me, flipped through my music, pulled out Unforgettable, and asked us to play it for them. He and Chelsea then danced together in the empty tent. There were 1,500 guests at the White House that night but President Clinton found a few minutes to spend privately with his daughter. It was a special moment for all of us. What type of versatile guitar skills are necessary to be a part of the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band? I have been called on to play many different styles of music, as well as many different stringed instruments. That variety is one of the things I enjoy about my job. The majority of music that I get to play is jazz, but I also play a variety of pop music styles (classic rock, Motown, country). Occasionally I will perform with the concert
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