UTRGV students and people of all ages enjoyed a lively concert performed by the San Diego Marine Corps Double Time Brass Band last Wednesday on the Edinburg campus.
The event took place in the PlainsCapital Bank Student Union Theater. The band is a New Orleans-style brass band and performs different styles of music, including Top 40 music hits from the last five decades.
“The brass band is our contemporary brass ensemble, consisting of tuba, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, drum set,” said David Corderman staff sergeant and small ensemble leader of the Marine Band. “We are happy to be here. We are happy to tell the Marine Corps story and represent the Marine Corps through music.”
Besides performing synchronized drills and playing music that highlights New Orleans’ famous music style, band members also interacted with the audience. After every two songs, members took a small break to answer any questions regarding the Marines.
Josh Rodriguez, a music senior, said he was impressed by UTRGV for bringing artists from San Diego, California, and hopes the university brings more musicians to perform for the students.
“It was a really great performance,” Rodriguez said. “It’s really cool to see them bring something like this down here … because we don’t really get this opportunity. Being so far down south we don’t get to see any kind of professional groups.”
According to the official Marines website, “the primary mission of Marine Band San Diego is to support the Recruit Training Regiment and other depot organizations.”
The Marine Band of San Diego has traveled all over the nation since its founding in 1921. Its reputation has allowed them to perform at professional sporting events, festivals and parades throughout the country.
“This is the very first time we have any of the military bands at UTRGV or at the Student Union,” Student Union Director Edna Zambrano said. “It was a very awesome concert and a very unique experience for the campus to be able to have them.”
