One of the most prestigious military bands is making its way to Medford as the U.S. Coast Guard Band marches to North Medford High School as part of its tour around the West Coast.

Officially called the “Centennial Celebration” concert tour and celebrating 100 years since the band was founded in 1925, the concert will offer Southern Oregon residents the rare chance to listen to a military band without traveling to the nation’s capital.

“It’s kind of a once in a lifetime experience to hear the U.S. Coast Guard Band live unless you happen be in the (Washington) D.C. area,” said Steve Kessler, band director of the North Medford High School band and a concert organizer.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the North Medford High School’s auditorium; the school is located at 1900 N. Keene Way.

It is free to attend, though attendees should register for tickets at ticketleap.events/tickets/us-coast-guard-band/Medford.

“Tickets are still available; we’re over halfway gone, and we expect to fill the house,” Kessler said Wednesday. “I think the auditorium fits 680 people, and the concert’s over halfway reserved.”

The U.S. Coast Guard Band includes 55 members and is led by Capt. Adam R. Williamson. The group is set to play a variety of musical pieces including wind band pieces, solo performances, marching tunes, new music from American composers and patriotic favorites.

The North Medford High band director said he is excited for his students to get to experience a professional concert with top-tier performers.

“I’m always ready to bring music to the students when I can, so to see them up close and in person and to hear their sound and performance, it’s usually awe-inspiring for everyone,” Kessler said. “I really appreciate the (music) variety because that’s what we do in our own band in high school and middle school; we play classic band pieces but also more modern compositions from living composers as well.

“Live performances are just so valuable to developing musicians,” Kessler added.

The band director was able to bring the U.S. Coast Guard Band after the group reached out to him in the summer, looking to set up a Medford performance along the West Coast tour.

“I’ve hosted the U.S. Marine Band here twice and the U.S. Army Field Band here as well, so any time a military band reaches out I jump on it,” Kessler said. “I think it’s really special considering this is their ‘Centennial Celebration’ tour, so I’m glad we get to be part of that.”

The U.S. Coast Guard Band will be performing throughout the West Coast from Feb. 13-24 in cities such as Sacramento, Salem, Tacoma, Wash., Ellensburg, Wash., and more.

Reaching its 100th birthday this year, the band is the musical representative of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and is the Coast Guard’s only musical ensemble.

The group performs across the country with the goal of promoting public goodwill toward the military branch and honoring the heritage, history and traditions of the Coast Guard.

To learn more about the U.S. Coast Guard Band, visit uscg.mil/Community/Band.

For the North Medford High School Band, the young musicians are currently fundraising for a trip to Disneyland with the high school’s choir, orchestra and color guard programs.

“We are taking a trip to Disneyland in April and marching in a parade in Disneyland,” Kessler said. “For the parade, we’re learning that music right now.”

The band director sees the trip as a chance for students to experience the world as well as improve their musical abilities and gain experience.

“Traveling, for the students, is such a great opportunity when many of them have never been to Disneyland or out of Oregon,” he said. “Not only will they learn new skills and concepts, but also the bigger picture outside Medford and opening their eyes to new possibilities.”

The high school band has the goal of raising $10,000 for the trip and had raised $2,745 as of Thursday morning.

To donate and support the North Medford High School Band, visit onthestage.tickets/north-medford-high-school/campaigns/nmhs-music-to-disney-3981.