Michael J. Colburn, U.S. Marine Band Director, Promoted to Colonel

According to the United States Marine Corps President Bush has promoted its current band director, from the U.S. Marines Band, to the rank of Colonel.

On July 3rd, 2007, the Oval office held a ceremony, which promoted the U.S. Marines band director, Michael J. Colburn, to his new rank as colonel. Mr. Colburn will be noted in history as the second only directory, in the past 208 years to be ranked as the Commander in Chief. The first time that the U.S. Marine band played at the Whitehouse was during the 4th of July when Mr. Andrew Jackson was president.

Colburn will begin his duties on July 4th, with the "President's Own" U.S. Marine Band on the south lawn on the National Mall, during the firework display. Some of Mr. Colburn's other duties include being the music advisor to the White House. On a regular basis, Michael Colburn directs the Marine Band and the Marine Orchestra at the Executive Mansion and at all of the presidential inaugurations. He is also the director at Washington's Gridiron Club. Every Marine band director has held this position since John Philip Sousa.

Many of Michael's abilities that have led up to his position as Colonel. Mr. Michael Colburn has proved his abilities in music ever since he joined the "President's Own," United States Marine Band in 1987 as a euphonium player. He was a very talented musician who was a featured soloist. In fact he was so talented that he was appointed, principal euphonium, in the year of 1990. Along with being the principal euphonium, Michael had other duties such as a conductor for the chamber series. He furthered his career and talent by being appointed as first lieutenant and assistant director in 1996.

By 2001, he was executive officer, and a year later, in 2002, he ranked to major. On July 17, 2004, almost two years later, Mr. Colburn was appointed as lieutenant colonel, a day before taking charge of the U.S. Marine Band.