In the News: Marine and APSU music alum to perform at presidential inauguration
Master Sgt. Samuel Barlow (’00), an Austin Peay State University alumnus, will perform in the 59th Inauguration of the President of the United States on Jan. 20, as a trombonist for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band.
“I’m taking part in my fifth presidential inauguration,” he said in a video posted on WBBJ Eye Witness News, in Jackson, Tennessee. “The Marine Band has performed the musical soundtrack for this ceremony for more than two centuries.”
Barlow, a Jackson native, graduated from Austin Peay in 2000 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. He later earned a master’s degree in music performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory in Ohio. He joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in June 2004, and was named principal trombone in January 2013.
Before joining “The President’s Own,” he performed with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
According to the U.S. Marine Corps website, the band was founded in 1798, making it “America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. On March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson became the first to be sworn in as president in Washington, D.C., and it is believed that the Marine Band was present for this event.”
For more information on the Austin Peay Department of Music, visit .
News Feed
View All News
The Department of Health and Human Performance will host its inaugural Health and Performance Summit on Saturday, Oct. 17, in the Health Professions Building, bringing together nationally recognized leaders in strength and conditioning, sports science, healthcare, and tactical performance.
Read More
Shirley Conner, assistant director of Austin Peay State University's Veterans Upward Bound program, has guided hundreds of military-affiliated students into higher education through federally funded support services including admissions assistance, financial aid guidance, and career counseling.
Read More
The Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing Billy Atkins, Dr. Michelle D. Smith, and Dr. Jeannie Beauchamp for their contributions to the university and community.
Read More