West Virginia University (WVU) College of Creative Arts and Media alumni will perform with "The President's Own" United States Marine Band during the President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Gunnery Sergeant Simon Wildman, Staff Sergeant Hannah Davis, Master Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Bennear and Staff Sergeant Issac Mei will participate in the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
Gunnery Sgt. Simon Wildman
Wildman, a tuba player, is from Kingwood, West Virginia, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the WVU School of Music in 2008 before earning a master’s degree from Ohio University in 2010 and a doctorate from the University of Georgia in 2014. He has performed around the world and won the International Tuba Euphonium Conference’s (ITEC) Solo Artist competition in 2012. Wildman joined the Marine Band in 2013.
“This is my third Presidential Inauguration with the Marine Band,” Wildman said. “Each one has been a unique and incredibly humbling experience. Performing on the stage right below the President puts the band literally right in the middle of a significant historical event. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity.”
Staff Sgt. Hannah Davis
Davis is a soprano vocalist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is the Marine Band’s second official female vocalist. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Music from the WVU School of Music in 2021. She performed with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and WVU Opera Theatre before joining the Marine Band in 2023.
" 'The President’s Own’ United States Marine Band is held in such high esteem, and it is a privilege to serve as a part of this organization along with the Joint Armed Forces Chorus during the Inauguration,” Davis said. “This Inauguration will be my first, and I am incredibly excited to see and experience up close what millions will see from their homes.”
Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bennear
Bennear, a baritone vocalist from Keyser, West Virginia, graduated from the WVU School of Music in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Music. He then earned a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Texas in 1999. Bennear joined the Marine Band in 2000, becoming the third featured vocal soloist since that position was established in 1955.
“I am honored to participate in such a historic event,” Bennear said. “During my 25 years of service with ’The President’s Own’ United States Marine Band, I have had the opportunity to enjoy a front row seat to many historic national events and this will be no exception. My training at WVU was instrumental in preparing me for these kinds of national events. The vocal training, as well as the many performance opportunities I received there, truly helped equip me for success at the highest level.”
Staff Sgt. Isaac Mei
Mei, a native of Morgantown, West Virginia, is the band’s communications strategist. He graduated from WVU in 2017 with a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from the Reed College of Media (now the Reed School of Media and Communications). Mei worked as the social media editor for Pew Research Center before joining the Marine Band in 2023. He promotes the band’s performances and will be sharing live updates about the pieces the band performs during the inauguration on the Marine Band's X account.
“It’s an honor to be participating in this year’s Presidential Inauguration,” Mei said. “I remember watching it on TV with my family back in Morgantown over the years, and I never thought I’d get to be part of something like that. I’m so excited to be a part of history, and to all of my fellow Mountaineers – know that you’re being represented well and proudly!”
The Marine Band is the oldest continuously active professional musical organization in the United States. Established in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams. Thomas Jefferson is credited with titling the band “The President’s Own,” after they performed at his inauguration in 1801. They have since performed at every U.S. presidential inauguration.
Continuing the tradition, the Marine Band will perform at the 2025 inauguration, sitting directly beneath the inaugural platform and performing “Hail to the Chief,” to honor the newly sworn-in President Trump. Bennear and Davis will perform as part of the Joint Armed Forces Chorus.
The inauguration will take place at noon EST on January 20 and will air across the nation on major broadcast networks, including ABC, CBS, CNN, CSPAN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC and PBS.