Stories - Page 2

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Shelby Petersen, a vocalist with Marine Corps Quantico Band, poses on a Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, on MCBQ, Virginia, Dec. 3, 2024. Petersen, a Kalispell, Montana native, enlisted as an Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician in the year 2020, and submitted for a lateral move in 2023 to her current military occupational specialty. “If it’s a dream of yours, don’t give up on it,” Petersen said definitively. “No matter where you are in life, whatever opportunities you get or lack-thereof, it’s really important to take the time for the things that make you feel alive and make your soul feel whole.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Braydon Rogers) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Shelby Petersen, a vocalist with Marine Corps Quantico Band, poses on a Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, on MCBQ, Virginia, Dec. 3, 2024. Petersen, a Kalispell, Montana native, enlisted as an Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician in the year 2020, and submitted for a lateral move in 2023 to her current military occupational specialty. “If it’s a dream of yours, don’t give up on it,” Petersen said definitively. “No matter where you are in life, whatever opportunities you get or lack-thereof, it’s really important to take the time for the things that make you feel alive and make your soul feel whole.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Braydon Rogers)

Ordnance to an Audience: US Marine changes trajectory to pursue passion in singing

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – As the lights dim, a hush sweeps over the audience – the anticipation builds. From the wings, steps a Marine in her iconic dress blue uniform. Her smile and poise grabs the audience’s attention. As she raises the microphone she draws in a breath and releases the first note letting her powerful voice fill the air.

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1st Lt. Jose Toranzo, the assistant director for “The President's Own” US Marine Band, directs the graduation colors ceremony on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., May 17, 2024. The morning colors ceremony is often the first chance for the families of the graduating Marines to observe the conduct of colors aboard a military installation. - 1st Lt. Jose Toranzo, the assistant director for “The President's Own” US Marine Band, directs the graduation colors ceremony on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., May 17, 2024. The morning colors ceremony is often the first chance for the families of the graduating Marines to observe the conduct of colors aboard a military installation.

"The President's Own" Assistant Director Returns To Where It All Began

Standing outside Barrow Hall, 1st Lt. Jose Toranzo raises his baton, readying the musicians of the Parris Island Marine Band to play morning colors. Toranzo normally directs formal concerts and chamber orchestra in Washington D.C. as the assistant director of “The President’s Own”United Stares Marine Band. However, for this performance, he finds himself leading the very band in which he began his career with in 2015.

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Gunnery Sgt. Martin Arreola leads the Third MEF Band through several songs. - Gunnery Sgt. Martin Arreola, the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) Band enlisted conductor, led the band through several songs, October 14, 2023. The band performed at the Inno Elementary School gym, in front of the Gotemba Nishi Junior High School Band, as part of a community relations effort. The III MEF Band also performed the next day at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji Friendship Festival. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Song Jordan)

III MEF Band Advises Gotemba Nishi Junior High Musicians / 第3海兵遠征軍音楽隊が御殿場西中学校吹奏楽部と交流

III MEF Band members offer instruction to Gotemba Nishi Junior High School marching band students. 第3海兵遠征軍音楽隊の隊員らが御殿場西中学校吹奏楽部員に奏法のコツなどを伝授。

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