Laura Lineberger (Euphonium)
SGM (ret) Laura Lineberger graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Music Education in 1984 and earned a Master of Music in Euphonium performance from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD in 1988. Prior to joining the U.S. Army, she taught instrumental music in Logan, Ohio for four years. In 1990, she became the first woman euphonium player in the history of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own and served a 30-year career, retiring in 2020.
Originally hired as a euphonium player for the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, she also actively performed with other ensembles within the organization. Her primary duty was to perform for high profile ceremonies in the Military District of Washington and for Full Honor Funerals for military and honored dignitaries lain to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. With the U. S. Army Brass Band, she was selected as soloist for CD recording “Death or Glory” and frequently performed solo performances with the U.S. Army Concert Band during their summer concert series. After ten years playing in the band, she became a full-time music librarian, culminating her service as Sergeant Major and Chief Librarian of the U.S. Army Band. While serving as Librarian, SGM (ret) Lineberger was twice selected to serve a temporary duty assignment as a Band Liaison Officer for “The Joint Task Force – Presidential Inaugural Committee” to plan the Inaugural Parades and Swearing-In Ceremonies for Presidents George H. W. Bush in 2005, and President Barack Obama in 2009.
During her time in the band, SGM (ret) Lineberger was honored to represent female brass players serving in the military, performing with an Interservice Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble at the first International Women’s Brass Band Conference (IWBC), in 1993 and has participated in every IWBC thereafter. In 2000, she accepted a position as a Board Member for the IWBC and was invited to perform with the Monarch Brass Ensemble. Inspired by the Monarch Brass experience, in 2003, Laura founded the Athena Brass Band, a British style brass band using strict instrumentation. What was intended as a one-time gathering of female brass band enthusiasts, blossomed into a self-energized group of brass-playing women from all over the United States and abroad. The Athena Brass Band recently formed a 501(c)(3) organization and endeavors to continue performing music and educating audiences for years to come. Laura considers founding this ensemble to be her greatest legacy.
In retirement, Laura continues to play euphonium and baritone in two community brass bands, actively serves on the Board of Directors for the Athena Brass Band and has more recently accepted a position with the Gettysburg Brass Band Festival Board of Directors.
Originally from Ohio, her home is now in Montgomery Village, MD where she and her wife, Beth, (and their cats, Zeppelin and Felix) have resided many years.
