Photo By Cpl. Krista James | 180515-M-PY808-001 James Clayton Vaughn, a current Birmingham, Alabama resident who...... read more read more
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One of the most prestigious organizations for music in the world is the United States Marine Band. Known as “The President’s Own,” the Marine Band was established by an act of Congress on July 11, 1798, and is the oldest professional musical organization in the U.S.
Today, The President’s Own performs in hundreds of events every year, and they also travel across the country each fall for their concert tour, a tradition that began in 1891 under the band’s most well-known director, composer John Philip Sousa.
Many musicians compete for a spot in the incredibly selective band, but one Mississippi native and current Birmingham, Alabama, resident, James Clayton Vaughn, has landed a spot in this illustrious musical organization.
“It’s really quite an honor. That organization has been around for a really long time, so getting to serve my country and getting to play with an ensemble that’s been around that long is amazing. Our first job is going to be at the Ford Theatre; I remember going there on a fifth grade school trip and now I get to play a concert there,” Vaughn said.
Vaughn is a member of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra, and performs regularly as a member of the Walden Chamber Music Society in Salida, Colorado. He has performed in many of the nation’s top music festivals including Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, National Repertory Orchestra, Meadowmount, and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.
Starting his studies of the cello at the age of ten, Vaughn continued to study his instrument throughout high school, at which time he was also a member of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra and the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Humanities, earned a Masters of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in cello performance at the University of Colorado Boulder.
After a long career in various orchestras and performing across the country, Vaughn decided that he wanted to be a part of something with a deeper purpose.
“I’ve auditioned for the President’s Own twice because I’ve always wanted to serve my country through my music, and now I get to do that. I’m really looking forward to it,” Vaughn said.
After his selection for a cello position in the band, Vaughn enlisted into the United States Marine Corps at Montgomery Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), through Marine Corps Recruiting Station Montgomery, Alabama.
Within the next few weeks he will report to Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., where he will receive on-site training in necessary military subjects in a structured program that allows new members to transition from civilian life to active duty military life. He will also be immediately appointed to Staff Sergeant, as it is an equivalent salary to comparable civilian organizations.
“I feel really honored,” said Vaughn. “It’s a little overwhelming all of the stuff that I have to learn. It’s like I’m doing the same thing that I’ve always been doing, but it’s very different. I’m ready to go up there and play music and learn the history and military side of things, and to start a new and exciting chapter in my life.”
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2018 14:17 |
| Story ID: | 277387 |
| Location: | MONTGOMERY, AL, US |
| Hometown: | FLOWOOD, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 325 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Pursuing a Passion of Music Through Military Service, by Cpl Krista James, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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