Marine Corps Band concert to benefit ‘Toys for Tots’

U.S. Marine Corps Band New Orleans will perform its “Santa Meets Sousa” holiday concert Dec. 3 in Morgan City. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. The stop in Morgan City is part of the concert band’s Toys for Tots Christmas production tour.

Admission is free, but donation of a new, unwrapped toy is appreciated. Toys collected will help the Marine Corps League-St. Mary Detachment’s Toys for Tots drive provide Christmas gifts for less fortunate children in the area.

The concert band’s principle conductor is Chief Warrant Officer 2 Demarius Jackson. Bandmaster is Gunnery Sgt. Justin Hauser and enlisted conductor is Sgt. Dalton Guin.

Marine Corps Band New Orleans was formed in 1978. The unit is composed of active duty Marines stationed aboard the Marine Corps Support Facility in New Orleans, according to its website.

The band supports all units of the Fourth Marine Logistics Group, Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Fourth Marine Division, and Force Headquarters Group. These Marines often perform in support of Marine Corps Recruiting Command initiatives and community relations programs, the website says.

The band travels throughout the United States each year entertaining over 6 million people as they perform in more than 280 concerts, parades and ceremonies.

According to a news release, the concert band uses nearly every musician in the unit, making it the largest ensemble of the band. The band performs a variety of contemporary and traditional wind band literature, orchestral transcriptions, pop arrangements and marches, the release said.

People wanting to make monetary donations to the St. Mary Detachment’s Toys for Tots drive may do so by making checks or money orders payable to Toys for Tots and mailing them to P.O. Box 1383, Morgan City, LA 70381.

There are also about 40 Toys for Tots boxes at businesses and schools throughout St. Mary Parish where people can donate toys. Toys will be collected through Christmas day.