JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Marine Band is returning to Jacksonville for the first time in a decade, bringing one of the country’s oldest musical traditions to the University of North Florida.

Erin Bodnar, Ed.D., director of bands at UNF’s School of Music, joined In Depth with Kristine Bellino to talk about the upcoming concert and the opportunities available for music students and the Jacksonville community.

The U.S. Marine Band will perform at UNF on Friday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. The free concert is already sold out, but Bodnar said people without reserved tickets may still have a chance to get inside.

Any reserved seats that remain empty at 7:15 p.m. will be opened to people waiting in the standby line. No reservation is needed to join the standby line, and Bodnar recommends arriving early.

There is also an important security rule for anyone attending: no bags are allowed inside, including purses and clear bags.

A rare visit to Jacksonville

The Marine Band last performed at UNF on October 9, 2016, making this year’s concert exactly 10 years since its last Jacksonville appearance.

Bodnar called the performance a rare occasion and said she is excited to host the group for the first time during her nine years at UNF.

The U.S. Marine Band dates back to 1798 and is the oldest professional musical organization in the United States. This year marks its 106th national tour, a tradition that began under John Philip Sousa in 1891.

For anyone who cannot make the Marine Band performance, UNF is also offering a free concert the night before.

The UNF Wind Symphony and Concert Band will perform “Diversions” on October 8, featuring a variety of music, including works by American composers such as Leonard Bernstein and Charles Ives.

Click here for the band’s tour schedule.

Music and community at UNF

Bodnar said the School of Music has been part of UNF since the university’s early years and now has around 200 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs.

The school includes jazz, classical music, opera and music technology programs, along with a variety of performance ensembles.

Bodnar said the program’s size gives students opportunities to perform in different ensembles while still receiving individual attention from faculty.

UNF also hosts guest artists for master classes, where students can perform and receive feedback in real time. Many of those classes are open to the public, giving younger musicians from Jacksonville-area schools and programs a chance to watch professional artists work directly with college students.

The School of Music also holds events throughout the year, including the Great American Jazz Series, faculty recitals, festivals for local students and performances by its orchestra, opera, wind and choral programs.

AI and the future of music

The conversation also turned to artificial intelligence and its growing role in music.

Bodnar said she believes there is something about live performance that AI cannot reproduce.

She pointed to groups like the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the U.S. Marine Band, saying the connection between musicians and a live audience is deeply personal.

“I think we see students that are just really interested in this idea of community and connection through music,” Bodnar said.

Rather than simply viewing AI as a threat, Bodnar said UNF is looking at ways the technology could be useful.

More performances ahead

UNF’s music calendar will remain busy beyond the Marine Band’s visit.

Upcoming events discussed during the interview include the Jacksonville Sings Choral Invitational, an orchestra program celebrating the spirit of America and “Fantasy of Color,” a November 17 concert featuring the UNF Concert Band and Wind Symphony.

Bodnar said many of the School of Music’s performances are free and open to the public.

Students who are not music majors can also participate in some UNF ensembles, allowing them to continue playing an instrument or singing while pursuing another degree.

For the October 9 U.S. Marine Band concert, people hoping to get a standby seat should arrive early before seats begin opening at 7:15 p.m., and remember to leave all bags at home.

More information about upcoming performances and programs is available through the UNF School of Music’s website.

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