Music Alumni Hall of Fame
Two RFA music alumni in the United States Marine Band, "The President's Own"
Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Today, “The President’s Own” is celebrated for its role at the White House and its dynamic public performances. “The President’s Own” encompasses the United States Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, and Marine Chamber Ensembles, and performs regularly at the White House and for more than 500 public performances across the nation each year.
Christian Ferrari
Trumpeter/cornetist Master Sergeant Christian Ferrari joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in September 1993. MSgt Ferrari began his musical instruction at age 11. After graduating in 1986 from Rome Free Academy in Rome, N.Y., he earned a bachelor’s degree with performance honors in music education from Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y., and a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He studied trumpet with Roger Voisin at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Mass., Charles Schlueter of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Daniel Sapochetti of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.
Audrey Cupples
Saxophonist Master Sergeant Audrey Cupples joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in May 1988. MSgt Cupples began her musical instruction at age 7. Upon graduating from Rome Free Academy in 1982, she attended the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., where she won a performer’s certificate and earned a bachelor’s degree in music in 1986. She earned a master’s degree in music in 2000 and a doctor of musical arts degree in 2008 from the University of Maryland in College Park. Her instructors include Eugene Rousseau of Indiana University , Ramon Ricker of Rochester, and James Stoltie of Potsdam, N.Y.
Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” MSgt Cupples performed as lead saxophonist on Wynton Marsalis’ GRAMMY nominated Carnival album.
Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” MSgt Cupples performed as lead saxophonist on Wynton Marsalis’ GRAMMY nominated Carnival album.