Band of Marines off to Miami SUPER BOWL XLI [Archive] - Marine Corps

thedrifter

02-02-07, 08:33 AM

Bandstanding at the Super Bowl
AILEEN STRENG
astreng@potomacnews.com
Friday, February 2, 2007

Members of the Quantico Marine Corps Band were told recently that they would have to cancel their Super Bowl party plans because they had an out-of-town gig.

The disappointed moans and groan, however, were quickly replaced with whoops, cheers and “Oo-rahs.”

The Quantico Marine Corps Band had been invited to perform at the Super Bowl in Miami during the Pre-game Show on Sunday, February 4.

Chief Warrant Officer Robert Szabo, Quantico band director, does warn against disappointment.

“They can’t guarantee that we are going to be televised because of all the sponsors and interviews that will be going on,” Szabo said. “But, we might be in the background during an interview.”

Certainly the 70,000 in attendance will get the chance to see the band strut its stuff.

“I’ve very honored that we are going to do this,” Szabo said. “It’s quite great exposure for the Marine Corps.”

During their performance, the Marines will play “Apotheosis,” a version of the “Marines’ Hymn” that builds in its intensity.

“It’s a very majestic and powerful arrangement,” Szabo said.

Also during the performance, six members of the Quantico band will reenact the flag raising at Iwo Jima. They will be wearing the same period uniforms that were used in the moving about the flag raising, "Flags of Our Fathers."

Super Bowl officials asked specifically for the reenactment and Szabo thought it appropriate. "It is the icon of the Marine Corps," he said.

Ellie