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Marine Corps band to play at Averitt Center
Marine band photo
The Marine Corps Band is shown performing above. The band will give a free concert Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Averitt Center. - photo by Special
    The Parris Island Marine Band will perform a free concert at the Emma Kelly Theater at 2 p.m. Saturday as a complement to the Celebration South Music Festival.  
    The Parris Island Marine Band was formed in 1915, and remains dedicated to upholding and displaying the highest standards and traditions of the United States Marine Corps.
    Averitt Center director Tim Chapman said, “The event is free to the public, but people do need to get a ticket so that we don’t overcrowd the theater. Everyone will love this concert. The Americana should fill us all with patriotic pride.”
    With the strength of 50 enlisted instrumentalists and a band officer, the band performs at hundreds of events each year in every idiom imaginable. The unit maintains several ensembles, to include: a Concert Band, Marching / Ceremonial Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Brass Quintet.
    In addition to maintaining a constant state of musical readiness, the members never lose sight that they are first and foremost Marines. To live up to this responsibility, the band participates in field -training exercises approximately four times a year and takes physical fitness tests twice a year, and they qualify annually in Combat Water Survival, with the M-16A2 Service Rifle, and the M-9 Pistol.
The Marine musician of the 21st Century is as proficient at firing the M-240G Machine Gun as he is at playing his instrument at a military ceremony.
Season Patrons and Members of Averitt Center Friends of the Arts have received complimentary tickets which entitle them to be seated in a special reserved section of the theater. The remainder of the seats are open to the general public, but those wishing to enjoy the concert must get a free ticket from the Emma Kelly Box Office on 33 East Main Street, or they may call 912-212-ARTS to reserve tickets.
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