501 - Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris Rose: Playing in "The President's Own" Marine Band, Serving a Huge Variety of Musical Roles, Promoting National Unity and Tradition Through Music

Working Drummer

Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris Rose has spent the majority of his professional career in his role as percussionist, drumset specialist, and soloist with the United States Marine Band. "The President’s Own" comprises 160 members and takes various forms depending on the event or occasion they’re playing for and the instrumentation needed for it. As you’ll hear, this affords Chris the opportunity to play a huge variety of musical roles, from classical percussion to marching drums to jazz and rock drumset.

In this episode, Chris talks about:

• Studying classical percussion at Rice University, and his first post-school gig in Branson with Andy Williams
• What makes The President’s Own unique among military bands
• Getting outside yourself in service to the music and the event it’s part of
• The incredible variety of musical roles he plays in a given week
• The potential for musical development and upward mobility within the band
• The various drummers he channels in various drumset roles
• Life in DC, and looking ahead to life and work after The President’s Own

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