Medfield hosts members of U.S. Marine Band

Some Medfield residents kicked off the recent election day with a stop at the voting booth, but for more than 250 Medfield Band students and guests, their morning started with a special school visit by members of the "President's Own" United States Marine Band.

The Marine Band was founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, and is America's oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Most famous of its directors was John Philip Sousa.

Invited by Blake Middle School Band Director Ryan Dexter and Medfield Music Director Doug Olsen, the morning featured eight members of the Marine Band -- including a clarinet quartet -- who performed for students in the grade 6-12 Band program, as well as many Dale Street Band students, parents, plus community members. A robust Q&A between band members and students followed the performance.

Dexter presented the Marine Band members with a framed poster of Medfield-born Lowell Mason as a gift of appreciation. Mason is considered to be the father of music education in the U.S., and the Medfield High School auditorium is named after him. The poster was provided by the local non-profit Lowell Mason House whose board of directors are working to transform his former home and birthplace on Green Street into a musical destination and living museum.

The Medfield visit was part of a larger, full Marine Band tour in the area, including a free concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Oct. 18. Sousa brought the band to Mechanics Hall in 1891 on its first tour.

Pictured in group photo, left to right: Col. Jason Fettig, Marine Band Director; Blake Band Director Ryan Dexter; Master Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Harding (cornet); Gunnery Sgt. William Bernier (clarinet); Staff Sgt. Andrew Dees (clarinet); Staff Sgt. Meaghan Kawaller (clarinet); Staff Sgt. Shannon Kiewitt (clarinet); and Medfield Music Director Doug Olsen.