The City of Auburn will to host “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Auburn Performing Arts Center.

Free tickets (limit four) are only available in person through Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation, 910 Ninth St. SE, Auburn, located on the north end of the Les Gove Community Campus.

Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the Marine Band is America’s oldest professional musical organization. Its primary mission is unique—to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.

Now in its third century, the Marine Band continues a tradition of excellence that earned the title “The President’s Own” from President Thomas Jefferson. Musicians are selected at auditions like those of major symphony orchestras, and they enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps for duty with the Marine Band only. Most members are graduates of the nation’s finest music schools, and nearly 60 percent hold advanced degrees in music.

Each fall, the band performs for nearly 100,000 people in communities across America on its annual concert tour. The tour is a tradition initiated by 17th director John Philip Sousa more than a century ago. Today’s Marine Band tours in the fall, and rarely leaves the Washington, D.C., area at other times because of a heavy schedule of White House and ceremonial commitments.

The Department of Defense has divided the country into five regions for tours by the premier bands of the Armed Forces. This allows each band to visit as many states as possible during a normal rotation without competing for the same sponsors and concert sites. Marine Band tours begin in early October and last about 30 days. During this time, the band presents approximately 28 concerts, each in a different town.

Col. Michael J. Colburn is 27th director of The Marine Band. During his 20 years with “The President’s Own”, Col. Colburn has served as principal euphonium, assistant director, and since July 17, 2004, the director who is leading the Marine Band in its third century.

As director of “The President’s Own,” Col Colburn is music adviser to the White House. He regularly conducts the Marine Band at the Executive Mansion and at all Presidential inaugurations. He also serves as music director of Washington D.C.’s prestigious Gridiron Club, a position held by every director of the Marine Band since John Philip Sousa, and is a member of the Alfalfa Club and the American Bandmaster’s Association.