She is one to make the most of, see the best in and enjoy every situation. And on top of everything, her character is unselfish, humble and appreciative. She already exceeds the physical fitness qualifications required of a Marine and is pushing her musical expertise to the next level. “She has an unprecedented drive to accomplish anything she decides to do.
“Jessica is going to make a phenomenal Marine musician,” said Meulemans. He isn’t worried that she will become successful in the Marine Corps. Meuleamans, however, had no doubts Backes would survive the audition. Today, I see many more college students and graduates joining and the performance level of the band reflects.” In the past, many of the musicians coming into the Marine Corps Band were the top musicians graduating from high school. “During my 10 years in the Marine Corps Band, I have seen the level of musicians we are selecting grow immensely. “Finding a musician qualified to play in the Marine Corps Band is not an easy task,” said Meulemans. They must also complete the physical, mental and moral military screening tests required of all those wishing to join the armed services. Determining if an applicant is musically qualified for the Music Enlistment Option Program, (MEOP), consists of completing a screening form about their musical experience, a video submission of prepared excerpts and a live audition. Once Backes decided she wanted to be a Marine, she began the audition process. “I knew after just a few notes that she was the type of player we are looking for in the Marine Corps Band,” said Meulemans. She was playing solo background music at the reception. Timothy Meulemans, a Marine Corps bandsman and recruiter for Recruiting Station Twin Cities, first discovered Backes at Gustavus during a Wind Orchestra concert in 2017. After graduating from Technical High School in 2014, she continued her musical career at Gustavus Adolphus College as a music performance and Spanish major. She began playing flute 10 years ago in her middle school marching band and her passion for music has grown ever since. Cloud, Minn., native, was heavily involved in the arts while growing up. It also made me proud, knowing I would be lucky enough to be able to give back to my country and community by doing what I love - music.”īackes, a St. “I knew the lifestyle would stretch my boundaries and limitations, causing me to grow and push past my own self-imposed limitations. “I decided I wanted to be a Marine because I knew the family would push me to be a much stronger, more confident, grateful and creative musician and person,” said Backes. She leaves for Marine Corps recruit training in July.
It is the rare musician who has the talent and determination required to become a Marine.īackes, a flute player, expertly rose to that challenge and celebrated her accomplishments. The Marine Corps has always prided itself with recruiting only the best and brightest young men and women to join its elite force. Gustavus Adolphus music performance major and Marine enlistee, Jessica Backes, performed her senior recital alongside the 2nd Marine Division Band Woodwind Quintet, Sunday, April 15, at the Christ Chapel in St.
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