Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Photo provided by Bill Kuyper

William Kuyper never imagined playing in the Marine Band.  “My life as a French horn player came from a different path.”  Mr. Kuyper explained that most military band members came up through the ranks, but he applied for, and won an audition just after finishing a college degree in music education.  A place in the U.S. Marine Band came with a four-year enlistment.  Bill remembers driving to Washington D.C. to report for duty, stepping out of the car, and seeing President Kennedy nearby.  “I could have reached out and touched his pant leg—he was that close.”

The Marine Band plays at all White House ceremonial and social functions including Presidential inaugurations and funerals.  Bill recalled the Bugle Corps, which was always at the back of the parade, belting out Stars and Stripes Forever and Semper Fidelis.  The bugle strain was always followed by the bass tubas, known as Sousaphones for their inventor John Philip Sousa.

L. William Kuyper, French hornist, was Assistant Principal Hornist with the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra prior to his recent retirement. He was active both in the United States and abroad as a soloist, clinician, and recording artist. He also appeared regularly with the Philharmonic Ensembles in their chamber-music series at Merkin Concert Hall.  Mr. Kuyper joined the Philharmonic in 1969 after memberships in both the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and the United States Marine Band. While in the Marine Band, he had the distinction of participating in the State funeral service of President John F. Kennedy who was assassinated 56 years ago.