Albert F. Schoepper
Encyclopedia
Albert F. Schoepper was leader of the United States Marine Band
and White House
music consultant from 1955 to 1972.
Albert Schoepper was born in Rochester, New York
, the son of Albert O. Schoepper and Matilda (Matie) Stehler. He began his musical training at age 7 with the violinist Alfred Perrot. He attended East High School in Rochester, and studied at the Eastman School of Music
under Gustav Tinlot. He also studied violin and conducting under Andrew Polah at Syracuse University
.
Schoepper joined the Marine Band in 1934, playing violin and saxophone. He often appeared as a violin soloist on network radio programs and was named concert master of the Marine Chamber Orchestra. He first conducted at the White House in 1942. He spent 38 years with the band. He joined the band as an enlisted man in 1934, playing violin and saxophone, and became the first Marine Band director to reach the rank of full colonel.
Col. Schoepper performed as a soloist and conductor before royalty and heads of state and government at hundreds of White House engagements. His first White House appearance as conductor in 1942 before King George II
of Greece
. Later, when the White House was being renovated, he conducted all the Blair House engagements for Harry S. Truman
.
In 1955 Schoepper replaced William F. Santelmann as Marine Band Director. Col. Schoepper directed "The President's Own" (as the Marine Band is known) at the inaugurations of Dwight D. Eisenhower
, John F. Kennedy
, Lyndon B. Johnson
and Richard M. Nixon.
Schoepper was in charge of the band for 17 years. He took the full band on 18 concert tours, during which he estimated that it played before some 12 million people. Schoepper also served as music adviser to the White House. He helped organize soirees with the country's finest artists and appearances of its most popular performers.
During the Johnson Administration, members of the White House social staff, as the story is told, had a "frank exchange of views" because they considered Col. Schoepper too indulgent of Mr. Johnson's passion for the foxtrot, neglecting other rhythms that his dancing guests might have favored.
For his last performance at the White House, Schoepper led the Marine Chamber Orchestra at a reception for retiring members of Congress
. Once the final chord faded, President Nixon introduced him and toasted him as the guests stood and saluted.
Schoepper died July 29, 1997 in Alexandria, Virginia
of pneumonia, weeks after experiencing a stroke that he never recovered from.
United States Marine Band
The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States...
and White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
music consultant from 1955 to 1972.
Albert Schoepper was born in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, the son of Albert O. Schoepper and Matilda (Matie) Stehler. He began his musical training at age 7 with the violinist Alfred Perrot. He attended East High School in Rochester, and studied at the Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
under Gustav Tinlot. He also studied violin and conducting under Andrew Polah at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
.
Schoepper joined the Marine Band in 1934, playing violin and saxophone. He often appeared as a violin soloist on network radio programs and was named concert master of the Marine Chamber Orchestra. He first conducted at the White House in 1942. He spent 38 years with the band. He joined the band as an enlisted man in 1934, playing violin and saxophone, and became the first Marine Band director to reach the rank of full colonel.
Col. Schoepper performed as a soloist and conductor before royalty and heads of state and government at hundreds of White House engagements. His first White House appearance as conductor in 1942 before King George II
George II of Greece
George II reigned as King of Greece from 1922 to 1924 and from 1935 to 1947.-Early life, first period of kingship and exile:George was born at the royal villa at Tatoi, near Athens, the eldest son of King Constantine I of Greece and his wife, Princess Sophia of Prussia...
of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Later, when the White House was being renovated, he conducted all the Blair House engagements for Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
.
In 1955 Schoepper replaced William F. Santelmann as Marine Band Director. Col. Schoepper directed "The President's Own" (as the Marine Band is known) at the inaugurations of Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
, John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
and Richard M. Nixon.
Schoepper was in charge of the band for 17 years. He took the full band on 18 concert tours, during which he estimated that it played before some 12 million people. Schoepper also served as music adviser to the White House. He helped organize soirees with the country's finest artists and appearances of its most popular performers.
During the Johnson Administration, members of the White House social staff, as the story is told, had a "frank exchange of views" because they considered Col. Schoepper too indulgent of Mr. Johnson's passion for the foxtrot, neglecting other rhythms that his dancing guests might have favored.
For his last performance at the White House, Schoepper led the Marine Chamber Orchestra at a reception for retiring members of Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. Once the final chord faded, President Nixon introduced him and toasted him as the guests stood and saluted.
Schoepper died July 29, 1997 in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
of pneumonia, weeks after experiencing a stroke that he never recovered from.