thedrifter
02-26-07, 07:21 AM
ISU alumna becomes member of The President's Own
Jacob Hamilton
Posted: 2/26/07
Although most ISU students and alumni have a lot in common, there are some attributes that set others apart from the rest. Jamie Schwendinger, who graduated from ISU with a master's degree in flute performance, has used her profession to meet the President of the United States.
"It was very brief, he was in and out. He was very nice and very gracious," Schwendinger said. "It was more of an honor than anything."
It was this past December of 2006 when Schwendinger attended a Christmas reception at the White House.
In celebration of the season the house was decked out with Christmas lights, life size nutcracker soldiers and gingerbread White House replicas. Large Christmas trees were placed through the party, tall and lavishly decorated.
Playing at the event was the band known as The President's Own. America 's oldest professional musical organization, the band has been around since it was created in 1798 by an act of Congress and has performed at every presidential inauguration since Thomas Jefferson.
With 143 members, the band is comprised of all Marines playing an assortment of instruments from the tuba to the electric guitar. However, the musicians are not the only members of the band. Schwendinger is part of a staff of 20 Marines who deal with an assortment of jobs in support of the band, such as public relations and library work.
It is Schwendinger's job to purchase, rent or catalogue music from publishers in preparation for future shows. Although she never plays, it would not be out of the question.
"I really enjoy both aspects. I enjoy playing a lot and I like being on the supporting end," Schwendinger said.
Schwendinger says she first got into music when she was young and her mother would play Elvis and Simon and Garfunkle CDs around the house. Then, in the fifth grade, when her grade school had music day, it all came together.
Laid out on the cafeteria tables was an assortment of instruments for students to play. Teacher's experienced with the instruments stood at the tables to instruct circulating students who showed interest in a particular instrument. On one particular table sat the flute, so Schwendinger gave it a try.
She said that the sound of the flute is what stood out to her the most and made her master this particular instrument. The soft versatile sound makes it an instrument that can be successfully paired with a wide number of instruments. So when her family found a used one at a garage sale, Schwendinger had her very first flute.
Not too long later she was taking professional lessons. According to Schwendinger, music runs through her family. Her mother played the clarinet from a young age and Schwendinger has memories of her mother playing the instrument for the family. The family urged her to pursue music as a profession, so she did.
"They are very happy that I get to work in the field I love and be a part of this great organization," Schwendinger said.
A native of Freeport, Ill., Schwendinger graduated from high school in 1995 and earned her bachelor's in flute performance from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1999. After which she decided to go back and get her master's degree from ISU. While in school, Schwendinger worried about potential jobs in the music field and wondered if it would be hard to find one. But that never stopped her.
"If you really love it and do the work, then it should work out," Schwendinger said.
It was during her time at ISU that Schwendinger learned of The President's Own from one of her music professors. While considering her options she worked as a private music teacher and as a freelance musician. Then she started to check the Web site of the famous music organization in Washington.
The Web site listed current job openings and Schwendinger figured she might as well try. So she took part in the grueling interview process that spanned a couple of months. Then one day she got the call and the job was hers.
Staff Sergeant Rachel Ghaldiali, public relations specialist for the band, thinks that the choice to hire Schwendinger was made wisely.
"Jamie underwent an extensive interview process to be selected as a member of the Marine Band support staff. Her skills and experience are an asset to The President's Own Library," Ghadiali said.
Upon getting the job, it was required that Schwendinger enlist as a Marine.
"I have always had a respect for the Marine Corps and had considered joining a long time ago," Schwendinger said.
Initially she was unsure of moving so far from home and dealing with the expensive living conditions of the area in Washington, but is now glad she made the decision. Right now she is looking forward to the next inauguration so that she can see what that experience is like.
When that time comes it will be Schwendinger's job to make sure that a special variety has been selected for performance and is ready to perform.
"It will be a very exciting time to be in this area and to see the band and all the activity," Schwendinger said.
Ellie
Jacob Hamilton
Posted: 2/26/07
Although most ISU students and alumni have a lot in common, there are some attributes that set others apart from the rest. Jamie Schwendinger, who graduated from ISU with a master's degree in flute performance, has used her profession to meet the President of the United States.
"It was very brief, he was in and out. He was very nice and very gracious," Schwendinger said. "It was more of an honor than anything."
It was this past December of 2006 when Schwendinger attended a Christmas reception at the White House.
In celebration of the season the house was decked out with Christmas lights, life size nutcracker soldiers and gingerbread White House replicas. Large Christmas trees were placed through the party, tall and lavishly decorated.
Playing at the event was the band known as The President's Own. America 's oldest professional musical organization, the band has been around since it was created in 1798 by an act of Congress and has performed at every presidential inauguration since Thomas Jefferson.
With 143 members, the band is comprised of all Marines playing an assortment of instruments from the tuba to the electric guitar. However, the musicians are not the only members of the band. Schwendinger is part of a staff of 20 Marines who deal with an assortment of jobs in support of the band, such as public relations and library work.
It is Schwendinger's job to purchase, rent or catalogue music from publishers in preparation for future shows. Although she never plays, it would not be out of the question.
"I really enjoy both aspects. I enjoy playing a lot and I like being on the supporting end," Schwendinger said.
Schwendinger says she first got into music when she was young and her mother would play Elvis and Simon and Garfunkle CDs around the house. Then, in the fifth grade, when her grade school had music day, it all came together.
Laid out on the cafeteria tables was an assortment of instruments for students to play. Teacher's experienced with the instruments stood at the tables to instruct circulating students who showed interest in a particular instrument. On one particular table sat the flute, so Schwendinger gave it a try.
She said that the sound of the flute is what stood out to her the most and made her master this particular instrument. The soft versatile sound makes it an instrument that can be successfully paired with a wide number of instruments. So when her family found a used one at a garage sale, Schwendinger had her very first flute.
Not too long later she was taking professional lessons. According to Schwendinger, music runs through her family. Her mother played the clarinet from a young age and Schwendinger has memories of her mother playing the instrument for the family. The family urged her to pursue music as a profession, so she did.
"They are very happy that I get to work in the field I love and be a part of this great organization," Schwendinger said.
A native of Freeport, Ill., Schwendinger graduated from high school in 1995 and earned her bachelor's in flute performance from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1999. After which she decided to go back and get her master's degree from ISU. While in school, Schwendinger worried about potential jobs in the music field and wondered if it would be hard to find one. But that never stopped her.
"If you really love it and do the work, then it should work out," Schwendinger said.
It was during her time at ISU that Schwendinger learned of The President's Own from one of her music professors. While considering her options she worked as a private music teacher and as a freelance musician. Then she started to check the Web site of the famous music organization in Washington.
The Web site listed current job openings and Schwendinger figured she might as well try. So she took part in the grueling interview process that spanned a couple of months. Then one day she got the call and the job was hers.
Staff Sergeant Rachel Ghaldiali, public relations specialist for the band, thinks that the choice to hire Schwendinger was made wisely.
"Jamie underwent an extensive interview process to be selected as a member of the Marine Band support staff. Her skills and experience are an asset to The President's Own Library," Ghadiali said.
Upon getting the job, it was required that Schwendinger enlist as a Marine.
"I have always had a respect for the Marine Corps and had considered joining a long time ago," Schwendinger said.
Initially she was unsure of moving so far from home and dealing with the expensive living conditions of the area in Washington, but is now glad she made the decision. Right now she is looking forward to the next inauguration so that she can see what that experience is like.
When that time comes it will be Schwendinger's job to make sure that a special variety has been selected for performance and is ready to perform.
"It will be a very exciting time to be in this area and to see the band and all the activity," Schwendinger said.
Ellie