Know as "The President's Own," the United States Marine Band is on tour and will be performing a free concert at two HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).  The US Marine Band will perform a free concert at 3 p.m., this Sunday, Sept. 27, at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Jackson State University. Marine Staff Sgt. Kara Santos, who has been a member of the band for six years and will be the solo featured performer during the concert, said the band was "looking forward to coming to your town and performing."

The band started its tour in the US on Sept. 15 in Harrisonburg, VA and will wrap up on Thursday, Oct. 15, in New Mexico.

According to source, Stg. Santo stated that the band will perform one concert each day.

This will also be the first time that Santo has performed as a soloist on the road and will be performing music that "has a Spanish flavor to it." When they're are not on tour, Santos said the band performs at ceremonies, funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, for functions conducted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and at "the White House for presidential events."

According to source, John Graham, the director of bands at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), said the tours across the country by the band allow people to connect with the government and see one of the things they're paying taxes for.

"People are going to hear music at the highest level and music they can identify with," Graham said. "We love hosting something like this because it crosses regional lines and is a way to bring the community together."

He said the performance will also be a "strong learning experience, not just for our students in my band but for high school students who will have the opportunity to see world-class musicians."

"When we did the inaugural parade, we had the chance to go to Washington, D.C., and see the places where the band performs like the National Museum and Arlington National Cemetery," Graham said. "The band represents an important part of America as we know it."

Tickets for the free concerts, which begins at 3 p.m. in the HYPER Gymnasium at UAPB and 7:30 p.m. in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium at Jackson State University can be ordered online at http://marineband.ticketleap.com.