Photo by Master Sgt. Amanda Simmons / U.S. Marine CorpsMeridian native Staff Sgt. Clayton Vaughn, a cellist in “The President’s Own” Marine Chamber Orchestra, participated Wednesday in the state funeral in honor of former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral. 

Meridian native Staff Sgt. Clayton Vaughn, a cellist with “The President’s Own” Marine Chamber Orchestra, participated in the State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral.

“It was a chance for us to pay tribute to our former commander and chief,” Vaughn said during a phone interview from Washington, D.C. on Thursday. “It was quite the honor to participate in that ceremony – just the pomp and circumstance of it all.”

Vaughn noted the reverent atmosphere in the cathedral.

“I thought the speeches were amazing and very poignant,” Vaughn said. “It was very touching and you could feel that the orchestra was touched by the speeches as well. Just the power of the music, both of the choral groups, and the organist sounded amazing. And when you put it all together it was just a very heartfelt moment.”

The President’s Own performs in hundreds of events every year and travels across the country each fall on a concert tour, a tradition that began in 1891 under director and composer John Philip Sousa. Vaughn said the mission of the organization is to provide music for the president of the United States and the commandant of the Marine Corp.

“We do a lot of functions at the White House – anytime they want music for a special function we are there to support them in any way they need,” said Vaughn, who joined the orchestra in June.

Starting his studies at the age of 10, Vaughn continued to study his instrument throughout high school in Meridian, where he graduated in 2002. He was also a member of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra and the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra. He graduated from the University of Louisville in 2006 with a bachelor of arts in music and humanities, earned a masters of music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2009, and received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in cello performance in 2012 at the University of Colorado. After a long career in various orchestras and performing across the country, Vaughn decided that he wanted to be a part of something with a deeper purpose. Vaughn auditioned for The President’s Own twice before being selected. After being selected he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps at Montgomery Military Entrance Processing Station, through Marine Corps Recruiting Station Montgomery, Ala.

“Being part of “The President’s Own” is quite an honor and an opportunity,” Vaughn said. “I never dreamed when I started playing the cello at the age of 10 I would one day be playing for one of the most prestigious organizations for music in the world.

“I thought I would be playing soccer or something like that.”

President Bush’s State Funeral marks the 14th such event for which “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band or Marine Chamber Orchestra has performed, according to a Marine Corps news release. “The President’s Own” was present for the State Funerals of the following former presidents: Gerald Ford in 2007, Ronald Reagan in 2004, Lyndon B. Johnson in 1973, Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1969, Herbert Hoover in 1964, John F. Kennedy in 1963, Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, William Howard Taft in 1930, William McKinley in 1901, Ulysses S. Grant in 1885, James Garfield in 1881, Abraham Lincoln in 1865, Zachary Taylor in 1850, and John Quincy Adams in 1848.

“We have been fortunate to have had wonderful moments with every President we serve, but President and Mrs. Bush’s gratitude for our Marines and for the special music we provide in The People’s House was especially warm and always engaging,” Marine Band Director Col. Jason K. Fettig said in a statement. “He never missed an opportunity to connect with those around him and thank them for their contributions, and the men and women in the band who got to know President Bush both during his administration and in the many years beyond will always remember his ever-present appreciation and admiration for all those who served our nation alongside him.”