Lt. Col. John Bourgeois Original Airdate: April 19, 1998

Some might count Lt. Col. John R. Bourgeois' appearance with the New Orleans Philharmonic and performance with the New Orleans Opera Company as the pinnacle of a musical career. However, though this Unied States Marine Band director undoubtedly enjoyed his experiences as French hornist and backstage conductor, his status as vice-president of the John Philip Sousa Foundation and 1987 Distinguished Service to Music Medal indicate a vocation of service and committment to music throughout a lifetime.

Lt. Col. Bourgeois was born in Gibson, LA and graduated with a degree in music from Loyola University in New Orleans. He joined the Marine Corps in 1956 and was stationed with the Department of the Pacific Marine Band. In 1958, he became a member of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band as both a French hornist and a member of the arranging staff, and was appointed 25th director of that band in 1979.

Although distinguished in his military music service, Lt. Col. Bourgeois is best known for his service to bands and band music at the college and university level. As past-president and chairman of the American Bandmasters Association, first vice president of the National Band Association, and member of the board of directors of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, he influences the development of college and university band procedures throughout the nation, and has been recognized time and again for his devotion to music on that level.

Notably, Bourgeois also devotes time to conducting on the high school level. Conductor of the Sousa International High School Honors Band since its inception in 1981, he also frequently guest conducts bands across the United States and was selected to conduct the first International Youth Honor Band at the 1987 Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.