FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 15, 2007

Contact: K.E. Schwab

 724-738-2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

 Marine Band tubas invade Slippery Rock University for free concert

 SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. –  It will be "Tuba-Euphonium Day at The Rock" March 26 when the U.S. President's Own Marine Band Tuba/Euphonium Quartet visits Slippery Rock University for a free, 7:30 p.m. public concert in Swope Music Hall.

           As part of their campus visit the quartet will offer a master class and clinic in Swope from 4-6 p.m.

           The tuba and euphonium quartet is one of several ensembles formed from within “The President’s Own” to present chamber concerts and educational clinics. Quartet members perform regularly as part of the Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra and Marine Chamber Ensembles. They are also frequently featured soloists.

Established by an act of Congress in 1798, the Marine Band is America’s oldest professional musical organization. Its primary mission is to provide music for the president of the United States and the commandant of the Marine Corps. “The President’s Own” maintains a standard of excellence instated by it 17th director, John Philip Sousa.

Musicians are selected at auditions and enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps for duty with the Marine Band only. Nearly 60 percent of the band’s members have advanced degrees in music.

           Members of the quartet are:

•      Master Gunnery Sgt. John Cradler of Lake Mills, Wis., the tuba section leader and low brass section commander. He joined the United States Marine Band in 1989 after earning his bachelor’s degree in tuba performance at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his master’s degree in tuba performance at the University of Akron. In 1998, he was a featured soloist at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Minneapolis and the U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Arlington, Va.

•      Tubist Gunnery Sgt. Mark Thiele of Vienna, Va., joined the band in 1998. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from James Madison University and his master’s degree in music performance from the University of Michigan. He performed for two years in “The Tubafours” at Walt Disney World, and in 1999 was a soloist at the U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conference.

•      Euphonium player Staff Sgt. Mark Jenkins of Las Vegas, N.V., joined the band in 2002. He undertook euphonium performance studies at the University of North Texas and was a two-time winner of the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition as well as a finalist in the 2001 ITEC Euphonium Solo Competition in Finland.

•      Euphonium player Staff Sgt. Ryan McGeorge of San Diego, Calif., joined the band in 2004 following graduation from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in music. He was a featured euphonium soloist in the Tony and Emmy award-winning Broadway production of “Blast!” In 2003, he placed first in the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition.

           Brian Meixner, music instructor at SRU is organizing the visit.

           Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.                                                                                                                    PN, PGN, WPN, PR