The President's Own Marine Band Performs at Hardin Simmons University Published Oct. 28, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Brittney Smolinski 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The crowd went wild as "The President's Own" Marine Band kicked off their performance with the song, "The Daughters of Texas" Oct. 27 at Hardin Simmons University here. During their performance at Hardin Simmons University, they played songs such as "Bossa Merengova," "Semper Fidelis" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" as part of their 2010 National Concert Tour. Students from the band at Howard Payne in Brownwood, Texas said, "We loved it! We would love to be part of a professional ensemble." Established by an act of Congress in 1798, the Marine Band is America's oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Its primary mission is to provide music for the president of the United States and the commandant of the Marine Corps. "The President's Own" maintains excellence during every performance. Musicians are selected at auditions much like those of major symphony orchestras, and they enlist in the Marine Corps for duty with the Marine Band only. Most of today's members are graduates of the nation's finest music schools, and more than 60 percent hold advanced degrees in music. The Marine Band's role in our national culture and in our government's official life has affirmed the importance of the arts as a bridge between people. As the only musical organization with the mission of providing music to the president and commandant, the Marine Band looks to the future, viewing its history and tradition as the foundation on which to build its third century of bringing music to the White House and to the American people. "We enjoyed their performance and we are honored that they came to our university," said Hardin Simmons University students .