Born in 1956 in Saint-Chamond, Loire, Colonel Jean-Michel Sorlin began his musical studies at the Saint-Étienne Conservatory, where he earned first prizes in flute, music theory, music history, and chamber music, as well as the Grand Prize of Honor from the city of Saint-Étienne. He continued his studies in Paris with Mr. Hériché (soloist at the Paris Opera) for flute, Ms. Desportes (First Grand Prix de Rome winner) for composition, and Mr. Sciortino (composer) for orchestration. He furthered his studies with Mr. Sommer (principal conductor at the Karlsruhe Opera) in conducting and completed his training with Mr. Boutry (First Grand Prix de Rome winner). A first-place winner in the competitive examinations for assistant bandmaster, bandmaster, and bandmaster of the armed forces, he held various positions and responsibilities within the French Army's military bands from 1981 onward. He took over as Director of the French Army's Main Band in 1992. At the helm of this orchestra, he performed on every continent and ensured the preservation of the musical tradition of French military bands by appealing to all audiences and giving significant prominence to contemporary composers and arrangers. In January 2010, he was appointed Director of the French Army's Military Music Conservatory and Technical Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the French Army. His responsibilities led him to manage all of the French Army's musical ensembles, coordinate protocol and events, and participate in conferences. He served as International Vice-President of the International Military Music Society and Honorary President of the French branch of the IMMS. In 2018, and for three years thereafter, he produced a radio program called "Marche Parade" on a web radio station, focusing on the history and repertoire of military music from around the world. A recipient of the National Defense Silver Medal, he is also a Knight of the National Order of Merit, a Knight of the Spanish Military Merit, a Knight of Arts and Letters, a recipient of the Polish Armed Forces Medal, and a recipient of the Russian Liberation Commemorative Medal.