The last 50 years have taken me in lots of directions, but always in the music field I have loved since earning my music degree from G’burg. Much of my success I attribute directly to the superb education I received. My college band director and my mentor, Music Prof. Bob Zellner, and so many other incredible educators gave me many opportunities to lead and learn throughout my four years there. I have been so grateful for this blessing throughout my life.
I taught middle school music for just one year but realized that being a teacher was not in my DNA. I auditioned for and was accepted into “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. I served four presidents—Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—and I served proudly until I retired as the band’s stage manager in 1997 with the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. Being a part of this world-renowned musical organization gave me so much more than a wonderful music career. My stage was the White House; my audience was the presidents, world leaders, and countless celebrities and entertainers. I had the great fortune to witness so much amazing history over the course of my 21 years as a Marine.
After my retirement from the Marine Corps, I took a position as the manager for guest talent and education programs with Walt Disney Entertainment, a job that I loved. I had the incredible opportunity to be on the management team for the opening of Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World, and so many other unique and wonderful Disney events. One of my favorite events was the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Naval Academy that was celebrated under Spaceship Earth at EPCOT.
Never one to get too comfortable in any job, this position led me to a wonderful career as the deputy executive director of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), which I held for 10 years. Ironically, as a music education major, we were all required to join NAfME as part of our education program. Little did I know then that I would someday be leading that same organization.
But I wasn’t done yet.
All of these experiences put me in a position to take on my biggest challenge as the vice president of Historic Programs, a national nonprofit that produces and administers national and international ceremonies and events celebrating America’s history and honoring our veterans and our active-duty military. I’ve proudly done this for the past 15 years. The Historic Programs team works tirelessly together to produce some of the most prestigious and iconic historic events in the world, such as the D-Day Commemoration in Normandy, France; the Pearl Harbor ceremony and parade in Honolulu, Hawaii; the National Veterans Day Ceremony in our nation’s capital; and the National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade and the Gold Star Family Memorial Day Parade in Honolulu. Most importantly, we have honored and celebrated America’s veterans and educated our younger generations about our important history.
At 72, I’m not even close to retirement yet. I live in Honolulu and plan to continue working for our veterans and honoring our history with Historic Programs for as long as God allows me to keep going. Just this past June, I was able to take several G’burg alumni to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It was great fun to see my old friends again.
Losing my wife and youngest child taught me to trust in God and keep moving forward. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where I serve as the Mission Leader and Self-Reliance Specialist for my ward. I serve on the Veterans Council for O’ahu, and I am a proud member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. I still enjoy playing my music as the principal tuba in the O’ahu Civic Orchestra and the Honolulu Symphonic Band. One of these days I may retire, but not yet…
by Earl Hurrey ’75
Posted: 02/24/25