Age: 73

Birthplace: Gibson, La.

Family: Two sons, three grandchildren

Job: Director of the United States Marine Band from 1979 to 1996

Favorite movie: "Seabiscuit"

Favorite book: "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Favorite foods: Cajun food, including chicken andouille gumbo, seafood gumbo and etouffee

Hobbies: Gardening

John Bourgeois' illustrious music career has taken him around the globe. As a musician and conductor for the United States Marine Band, he provided music for the ears of nine U.S. presidents – from Eisenhower to Clinton – and performed during some of the most memorable moments in American history.

In 1996, Bourgeois retired after a 38-year career with "The President's Own" band. These days, he resides in a log cabin on Hunters Road in Rappahannock County and fills his days writing and editing music, traveling and guest conducting.

He also holds a chair at his alma mater, Loyola University in New Orleans, where he majored in music as an undergraduate and now teaches the subject as a visiting professor.

On Sunday in Alexandria, Bourgeois will return to the podium before the Marine Band. The concert, which is titled "Tempo di Bourgeois," will feature several of his arrangements as well as other pieces that have importance to him. The performance begins at 2 p.m. in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College.

Bourgeois was born and raised in Louisiana and joined the Marine Corps in 1956. After performing briefly with a band in San Francisco, he won an audition with the Marine Band in 1958.

"It's considered the finest band in the States, if not the world," he said. "I really hadn't heard the band that much and then when I did, I just loved it."

Bourgeois entered "The President's Own" as a French hornist and arranger. He was named the band's 25th director in 1979 and served in the position until he retired from active duty in 1996.

As director, he was music advisor to the White House. He selected the musical program and directed the band in its traditional place at the U.S. Capitol for four presidential inaugurations.

He performed 600 events annually with the Marine Band, including 200 per year at the White House. He appeared at the White House more frequently than any other musician in the nation.

He says his most memorable moments include performing at John F. Kennedy's funeral in 1963, at the Camp David Accords in 1978 and at the completion of National Cathedral in 1990. Another special moment came in 1981, when he learned during a performance that the Iran Hostage Crisis had ended. Each presidential inauguration has been special, he said.

Bourgeois brought the Marine Band overseas for the first time in history, traveling to the Netherlands in 1985. In February 1990, he led the band on a historic 18-day concert tour of the Soviet Union as part of the first band exchange between the U.S. and U.S.S.R.

The walls of Bourgeois' home are adorned with photographs of him with presidents, first ladies and other world leaders. He has a book filled with letters from presidents, cabinet members and members of Congress, as well as articles about him that ran in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Washington Times and Parade Magazine. He also was featured several times on the small screen in interviews on ABC, CBS and CNN.

He says his career in music has "been totally satisfying."

While he was working, Bourgeois lived on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. He bought his Rappahannock property in 1986, but had been coming to the county for several years before that. He was drawn to the mountains as a respite from the city.

"This truly was my therapy, to come out on weekends," he said.

After retiring in 1996, he began living in Rappahannock full time.

He named his retreat "Metairie," which is the name of a New Orleans suburb where he used to live. It also is a French word for "little farm."

Bourgeois is active in Rappahannock as well, remaining involved with the Rappahannock County Historical Society and the Board of the Childhood Care and Learning Center.