It’s almost showtime for the Quantico Marine Corps Ceremonial and Dixieland Band.
After a month of practice, band members are ready to performance in four Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans, according to a release.
“For many in New Orleans this will be their first time in contact with Marines and we will be the front lines to what Marines represent,” Bandmaster Master Sgt. David Wilson said in a release. “We are musical ambassadors of the Marine Corps and the representation of Marine Corps Base Quantico, Crossroads of the Marine Corps.”
Band members will perform “South Rampart Street Parade” by Ray Bauduc, “The Saints” by Richard Bowles, and “Bourbon Street Parade” by Paul Barbarin.
To prepare for the parades, they practiced three days a week for at least two hours each day. Sometimes, they marched more than five miles at a time.
The band begins its weekend at 7 p.m. on Friday with the Krewe of Centurions Parade. It will be followed by the Krewe of Isis Parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The third parade – Krewe of Mid-City Parade – starts at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday. The performances will end with the Krewe of Rex Parade at 10 a.m. on Monday.
