Michelle Rakers

“I joined a very specialized unit as a member of ‘The President’s Own,’ and we are very focused on maintaining our mission to provide the best musical product we can possibly create.” For Michelle Rakers, joining the Marine Corps after receiving her master’s degree in music performance from Northwestern University in Illinois was actually the logical next step for her. Michelle was inspired to join by several music instructors who had told her about the premier bands in the Military they had been in. “The Marine Band’s mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the commandant of the Marine Corps.” After learning about the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and its reputation as a superb performing ensemble, Michelle decided she wanted to join the Marine Corps and audition for this noted group. Upon completing the audition process, Michelle joined the Marine Corps and the band as a trumpeter/cornetist. In addition to joining one of the more elite and high-profile orchestras in the country, Michelle was also impressed with the salary she would receive – which she felt was competitive with what she would have received in the civilian world. “I think for young people looking to broaden their experiences and training, they will find any and every opportunity to do just that in the Military.” With the Marine Band, 1st Lt. Rakers has performed at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour. She has served as a conductor and coordinator for the fall and winter Chamber Music Series and was appointed assistant director and commissioned a first lieutenant in July 2004.