Photo By Lance Cpl. Kevin Lopez Herrera | U.S. Sailors and Marines with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band perform at...... read more read more
PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The ability to explore and open your eyes to a whole world while progressing your career is a benefit only a few professions can offer. Individuals seeking to open their horizons and be part of something bigger than themselves can find these opportunities in the U.S. Marine Corps. Some Marines serve in the U.S. and others serve on military installations around the globe, but a select few get to visit the most prestigious theaters throughout the world. The Musician Enlistment Option Program is a gateway for young men and women to advance their musical careers as U.S. Marines.
Sgt. Liam D. Guin, a native of Owens, North Carolina, began his service following his older brother’s footsteps. Sgt. Dalton Guin enlisted on March 7, 2011 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, Kaneohe, Hawaii, and in the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve Band, New Orleans, as a French horn instrumentalist. Dalton was Liam's inspiration that ultimately drove him to accept the challenge of earning the title Marine.
“Outside my band director in high school, he (Dalton) was the only one who actually gave me lessons and guided me in music and the Marine Corps. Through him I saw the face of the Marine Corps and what the Band stood for, and I loved it,” said Liam Guin. “By the time it was getting closer for me to graduate high school, I auditioned for the band. That is why I joined. Because my brother did it, and it was awesome.”
Liam Guin’s first duty station as a French horn instrumentalist was with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. His second station is with the Parris Island Marine Band, where he currently serves. The primary mission of this ensemble is to provide musical support for the Recruit Training Regiment, as well as perform in numerous concerts and parades across the eastern United States. These interactions also help to promote MEOP and the Marine Corps message in the forms of musical performances, band talks, and master classes.
“This is one of the most solid and steady jobs that will consistently let you play your instrument and work with so many different people that have so many different experiences you can learn from. Because you are never done learning when it comes to music,” said Liam Guin. “The Marines offer you consistent opportunities to travel, go to different regions, and meet other people. You will get to grow, learn, communicate, and experience new things. You will not find that anywhere else.”
An integral part of the Marine Corps’ tasks, as it is with other branches of the U.S. military, is to create, maintain, and develop relations with other nations. Dispersed around the world, you will find multiple bands prepared to relay the message of togetherness through music.
The U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, stationed in Naples, Italy, extends its musical message to over 100 countries. These efforts brought about the creation of a tour to perform in multiple concerts and ceremonies through countries of northern Italy. The band required a few positions within the ensemble to be filled, and that is when a request for Marine Corps instrumentalists was made. Ten musicians from Marine bands on the east coast of the U.S., joined the band to perform on the tour. Liam Guin was one of the Marines selected to support the Navy band as a French horn instrumentalist. The ensemble also benefited from the support of local Italian musicians.
“This type of mission enhances ties between branches of service by sharing a message of jointness in how the Military Services work collaboratively to defend the Nation and succeed through teamwork,” said Gunnery Sgt. Daniel J. Hackenberger, a Marine percussionist and instrument repair technician for the Parris Island Marine Band. “This also enhances community ties with our allied NATO countries through public music performances, breaking any language barrier with the language of music, and bringing their citizens together in seeing that we support them in a multitude of ways.”
Their tour brought them to northern Italy, where they performed multiple concerts and ceremonies in Bassano Del Grappa, Longarone, Belluno, and Vicenza. The ensemble perf
ormed pieces from their standard repertoire, and featured music written by Italian composers. One of these pieces was Moments for Morricone, a medley arranged by Johan de Meij, featuring pieces composed by the Italian composer, Ennio Morricone.
Liam Guin’s highlights for this Italy trip was visiting ancient and historic theaters, mentioning that their last performance was at the Teatro Olimpico. The positive energy from the crowd remained long after their performance concluded, mentioning also that the audience members would join them afterwards for photos and general questions about music and the military as a whole. These types of opportunities are rarely accessible to most individuals, but Marines get to enjoy them as part of their profession as U.S. Marine Corps musicians.
“Being selected for this trip was a complete honor. And it was a privilege to get to play with so many different musicians from all kinds of education backgrounds,” said Liam Guin. “It was also a proud moment getting to go out and represent the Marine Corps in a different country with our Navy and Italian counterparts in the band.”
For more information concerning the Musician Enlistment Option Program or the U.S. Marine Corps, visit https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/roles/musician-enlistment-option-program.html or contact your local Marine Corps recruiter.
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2023 10:36 |
| Story ID: | 444305 |
| Location: | VICENZA, IT |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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