Hearing Sousa's very own band play

Last night we trekked down to the Marine barracks in the southeastern quadrant of Washington, D.C., for a military parade and music - think an extended changing of the guard ceremony with a lot of music. Here's how the website describes it:

A one hour and fifteen minute performance of music and precision marching, the Evening Parade features "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Ceremonial Marchers...

The ceremony starts at 8:45 p.m., beginning with a concert by the United States Marine Band. The Evening Parade, held every Friday evening during the summer, has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline, and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines.

You are most likely aware that there is a U.S. Marine Band, and you've no doubt heard of John Phillip Sousa, but what you're probably not aware of is that this is the very band, in this very place, that Sousa directed (and played for) for many years and for which he wrote his famous marches.

They played Sousa's most famous march - "Stars and Stripes Forever." Despite the concert starting after Lexi's bedtime, she stayed awake for the whole thing (until shortly after 10:00 p.m.), and she really enjoyed the music, especially this march. Here she is moving to the music:



The special guest of honor last night was former Secretary of State George Schultz. The week before, Barack Obama and family showed up and attended.

It was a fun evening. It was another one of those hidden gems of the city that we discovered.