The Marine Brass Quintet performed for the wind ensemble during third period today.

The quintet consists of two trumpets, a French horn, a trombone and a tuba. It is a segment of the 156-member “President’s Own” Marine Band, which is the oldest continually active professional musical organization in the United States.

Celebrated for its hundreds of annual performances, the quintet devotes approximately one month each year to performing at Metro area high schools, which are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. Music director Terry Alvey invited the group to play at Whitman after receiving an email advertising the opportunity.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to come and perform to music students,” trumpet player and Master Sergeant Michael Mergen said.

However, high school students are not the band’s most important audience.

“Our main mission is to provide musical support for the White House and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, for whatever musical needs they would have,” Mergen said. For example, the band performed for
French president François Hollande upon his arrival at the White House Feb. 11.

The performance at Whitman consisted of six selections, each hailing from the British Isles. Before each selection, a member of the quintet provided a brief, engaging history of the piece and its composer.

“We thought that the music from the British Isles was very interesting,” Mergen said. “It reflects the nature of what we do in the Marine Band, to be able to play for visiting dignitaries from foreign countries.”