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Rallying the Troops: A 360-Degree Revolution

Music specialist Philip Espe leverages his background in education and library work, serving as a historian and librarian for the library of the United States Marine Band.

Circle of Marches Concludes: Bookend
Circle of Marches Concludes: Bookend

Rallying the Troops: A 360-Degree Revolution

In an exciting turn of events, Philip Espe, a renowned figure in the world of music and education, has joined the United States Marine Band as its new librarian and historian. The 34-year-old, who hails from a family of military members, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role.

Ese's career in music began with a master's degree in orchestral conducting and clarinet performance. He honed his skills in various capacities, including directing community and youth orchestras. His love for music and education led him to work as a youth services associate at D.C. Public Library, where he earned the nickname "The Storytime Guy."

Ese's unique approach to storytelling involved integrating music into his sessions, a practice he continues to advocate for in his new role. He leads workshops for library workers, teaching them how to enhance storytimes with music performance and how to select culturally and historically relevant songs.

One of the highlights of his work at the library was his extensive work with sheet music. His project involved working with original, handwritten sheet music from John Philip Sousa's "Semper Fidelis" march, written in 1888 while Sousa was the band's director.

Ese's journey has come full circle as he now works with the United States Marine Band, which is celebrating its 225th anniversary this year. The band, known for its hundreds of public and official performances annually, has found in Esse a dedicated partner in preserving its rich history.

As part of the library's team, Esse will focus on preserving the band's history through its archives, which include an extensive collection of over 80,000 titles of sheet music and arrangements.

Ese emphasizes that musical ability is not a prerequisite for creating music and art. He encourages everyone to explore their creativity and find joy in the world of music, whether as a performer, a listener, or a historian.

With Philip Esse on board, the United States Marine Band is set to continue its legacy of excellence, preserving its history and inspiring future generations with the power of music.

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