U.S. Marine Band

The United States Marine Band, colloquially known as "The President's Own", was established by an Act of Congress on July 11, 1798, and is America’s oldest professional musical organization. The U.S. Marine Band is the only musical unit that bears the title “The President’s Own” and whose mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Today, "The President's Own" also includes the Marine Chamber Orchestra and Marine Chamber Ensembles. It is important to distinguish the Band from its sister Drum and Bugle Corps, "The Commandant's Own". Historical beginnings The relationship between the Marine Band and the White House began on New Year’s Day in 1801, when President John Adams invited the Band to perform at the Executive Mansion. Later that year, Thomas Jefferson initiated one very important tradition by requesting that the Band perform for his Inaugural. The Marine Band has performed for every Presidential Inauguration since. Today, the Marine Band performs more than 500 annual public and official concerts, appearing at the White House for State Arrival Ceremonies, State Dinners, and social events, more than 300 times each year. The Marine Band also travels across the country each October and November during its fall concert tour, a tradition that began with 17th Director John Philip Sousa in 1891. There are twelve active duty Marine Corps bands and one civilian unit. The President's Own are not active duty members of the United States Marines Corps, do not attend Marine Corps boot camp, and are civilians. Civilian musicians are paid triple or quadruple the rate of active duty USMC bandsman. Active duty Marine Corps bandsman are required to attend Marine Corps bootcamp, the Navy School of Music, and are active duty military. Bet you didn't know. Performances The Marine Band’s performance schedule is coordinated by the Marine Band Branch of Headquarters Marine Corps Public Affairs, which works directly with the Director of the Marine Band and the Marine Band Operations Office to schedule performances and ceremonies by the band, chamber orchestra, and chamber ensembles. Members of the Marine Band’s professional support staff, including the Library, Recording Lab, Stage Managers, and Stage Crew, as well as the Administration, Public Affairs, and Supply offices also work to coordinate, promote, and facilitate performances throughout the year. Performances by the Marine Band include: * White House events including State Dinners and formal receptions * Public concerts in the Washington, D.C., area and across the nation during their Fall Concert Tour * Washington, D.C., area military and patriotic ceremonies * Full Honors Funerals at Arlington National Cemetery * Friday Evening Parades at Marine Barracks 8th & I in Washington, D.C. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.