BOSTON -- Bostonians stopped as they heard the sounds of drums beating throughout their streets. Boston police blocked traffic as the Albany Marine Band marched from Faneuil Hall Marketplace to Boston Common, May 4, 2010.
Dressed in the sharpest uniform a Marine can own, the band kicked off their performance at the marketplace with the song, “Semper Fi,” while Boston residents surrounded band members and took pictures.
Staff Sgt. Ignatius J. Keogh, the enlisted conductor for Albany Marine Band addressed the crowds and thanked Bostonians for listening to the performance. He also talked about why the Marines are here as part of Marine Week.
“One of our jobs in the band is to be a musical ambassador for the Marine Corps,” said Keogh, a native of Rochester, N.Y. “One of the greatest things about being in the band is that we travel and get to show people what it is we do as a Marine.”
During the performance, crowd members were able to see the Marine Corps from a non-combative aspect. Instead of rifles, Marines used their instruments to grab the crowd’s attention.
“This is the first time I have seen Marines come to Boston, and I am thrilled to have them here,” said Lee C. Costello, a local resident. “I have never seen a Marine band until today, and I am thrilled to watch the Marines play.”
As the band members were on the move, local police blocked streets to ensure they had a clear path to march and perform. The crowd applauded after every song, and sang along to “God Bless America.”
“It’s very emotional to listen to the music,” said crowd member Rosemary A. Walsh. “It was wonderful to hear the Marines play, and have the locals come and enjoy the music.”
In preparation for Marine Week, members of the band spent endless hours rehearsing and ensuring their uniforms were sharp and ready to go, said Lance Cpl. Jesse Bond, a band member and native of Fairfield, Calif. Bond said he hopes the band’s performance will put smiles on many faces.
This is my first time doing Marine week,” said Staff Sgt. William Killian, the enlisted assistant conductor for Albany Marine Band, from Syracuse, N.Y. “It’s special because it is more centered toward the Marine way of life.”
The band will perform throughout the city for the remainder of the week and will open the DCR Hatch Shell concert season on Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m.