Master Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Schuller
of “The President’s Own” USM Band
to perform with the DCCB on Nov. 9

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The music of Sousa, Gershwin, Cohan, and our Armed Forces will greet patrons as the Defiance College Community Band presents “A Star Spangled Salute to Our American Heroes.” This musical tribute will be held Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Defiance Community Auditorium.

Among the highlights of the evening will be the very special appearance of trumpet soloist Master Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Schuller of the United States Marine Corps as well as a salute to each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Trumpet/cornetist Andrew Schuller of Salem, Ohio, joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in October 1986. He was appointed trumpet section leader in 1998 and high brass section commander in 2003. He performs with the Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, and Marine Chamber Ensembles at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour in the fall. He has conducted “The President’s Own” Marine Chamber Ensembles in concert.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Schuller began his musical instruction at age six. After graduating from Salem High School in 1976, he attended Youngstown State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and studied trumpet with Esotto Pellegrini and conducting with Robert Fleming. In 1993, he earned a master’s degree in conducting from George Mason University where he studied with Anthony Maiello.

“We are pleased to be working with Mike Williams of the Defiance County Veterans Office as we pay tribute to our defenders of freedom,” said musical director/conductor Vince Polce. “We will have with us a representative of each of the military branches as the band plays their respective songs. The audience will hear other familiar American melodies such as ‘Swanee’, ‘Over There,’ ‘You’re a Grand Old Flag,’ ‘God Bless America,’and of course ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever.’”

The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.

October 26, 2010