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. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. Year 1798 ( MDCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The United States of America —commonly referred to as the 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. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by The Commandant of the Marine Corps ( CMC) is the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Today, "The President's Own" also includes the Marine Chamber Orchestra and Marine Chamber Ensembles. The band is separate from its sister Drum and Bugle Corps, "The Commandant's Own". The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps -- the Marine "D&B" -- performs martial and popular Music for hundreds of thousands of

There are eleven active duty Marine Corps field bands and one civilian corps. The eleven active duty bands are composed of United States Marines who attend bootcamp and then "A" school at the Navy School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. United States Marine Corps Boot Camp, otherwise known as " Recruit Training " is a program of initial training that each recruit must successfully complete Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

The President's Own is a military corps band. Members of "The President's Own" are active duty members of the United States Marine Corps, serving under a 4-year Marine Band only contract for military service, however they do not attend Marine Corps recruit training. Recruit training is the initial Indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel ^[1]

Historical beginnings

Marine Corps band, 1864

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. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. Later that year, Thomas Jefferson initiated one very important tradition by requesting that the Band perform for his Inaugural. Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence The Marine Band has performed for every Presidential Inauguration since. Inauguration Day is the day every four years on which the President of the United States is sworn in and takes office.

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 State Arrival Ceremony is a ceremony that takes place on the South Lawn of the White House, the official home and principal workplace of the State dinners in different countries follow different rules and are governed by different protocols. 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. John Philip Sousa ( November 6, 1854 &ndash March 6, 1932) was an American Composer and conductor of the late

There are twelve active duty Marine Corps field bands and one "premier" band stationed in the nation's capital. Members of "The President's Own" are active duty members of the United States Marines Corps serving under a 4 year Marine Band only contract for military service, although they do not attend Marine Corps basic training. Members are selected through a rigorous audition procedure and are expected to perform at the highest level from the moment they arrive for duty.

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. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply 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.

Formats for ceremonial duties

The Presidential Inauguration

The President's Own playing for the 1981 inauguration of Ronald Reagan

The Marine Band has participated in every Presidential Inauguration since Thomas Jefferson's in 1801. Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States, established during the American Civil War Marine Barracks Washington DC is located at 8th and I Streets SE in Washington D Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Inauguration Day is the day every four years on which the President of the United States is sworn in and takes office. Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence Inauguration includes a swearing-in ceremony and a parade, as well as other smaller celebrations and festivities throughout the afternoon and evening. The Marine Band is positioned at the U.S. Capitol for the President’s swearing-in ceremony and a 99-piece band marches in the parade. The band also performs for celebrations following the official ceremony and parade. Celebrations are typically divided by state and held at hotels and in large public spaces throughout Washington, D.C.

State funerals

The Military District of Washington Commander of Troops arranges the ceremonial preparations and for the funeral supervises the procession to the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest Washington, D. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Washington National Cathedral, whose official name is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is a Cathedral of The Episcopal Church. C. The Secretary of Defense conducts the funeral proceedings. A state funeral procession, composed of National Guard, active-duty, academy, and reserve personnel that represent the five branches of the armed forces, is a traditional component of a state funeral observance. A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony held to honour Heads of state or other important people of national significance For the National Guard of a State and other countries' National Guard see National Guard. For the military meaning see Armed forces. For the Soviet sports society see Armed Forces (sports society Armed Forces

Military bands, including a 99-piece Marine Band, provide traditional music during each phase of the state funeral. Funeral processions in the nation's capital have honored ten presidents.

State Arrival Ceremonies

The Marine Band plays in the White House Entrance Hall in honor of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom's state visit, 1988

The United States Marine Band performs during a State Arrival Ceremony at the White House, an event which welcomes a visiting head of state to the United States and begins a State Visit. | |-| |-| |-| |-| |-| |} The Entrance Hall (also called the Grand Foyer) is the primary and formal entrance to the White House, the Official residence Margaret Hilda Thatcher Baroness Thatcher LG, OM, PC, FRS (born 13 October 1925 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The State Arrival Ceremony is a ceremony that takes place on the South Lawn of the White House, the official home and principal workplace of the "Official visit" redirects here For the Yes Minister episode see " The Official Visit " The United States Marine Band is located on the balcony of the South Portico, just outside the Blue Room. The Blue Room is one of three state parlors on the first floor in the White House, the home of the President of the United States. Following the ceremony the United States Marine Band performs in the Cross Hall during the receiving line and reception. | |-| |- | |} The Cross Hall is a broad hallway on the first floor in the White House, the official residence of the President of the United States.

Arlington National Cemetery

Each time the United States Marine Corps honors deceased Marines in military funerals with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Band participates in the ceremony. A military funeral is a funeral given by a country's Military for a Veteran, a soldier who died in battle or another prominent military figure Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States, established during the American Civil War

During the funeral ceremony, the Marine Band performs chorales and hymns on every occasion that the deceased is transferred or moved. When the escorts and funeral procession move the deceased from a chapel or transfer site to the final resting place, a drum cadence and funeral marches are performed. A chapel is a holy place or area of Worship for Christians, which may be attached to an institution such as a large church, a College, a The Marines' Hymn is performed for the final transfer of the deceased onto the resting site. The " Marines' Hymn " is the official Hymn of the United States Marine Corps. Following the Marines' Hymn, the deceased receives final honors and three volleys, and a lone bugler from the Marine Band performs "Taps. "Bugler" redirects here For the tobacco brand see Bugler (tobacco. This article is about the musical piece For other uses see Taps (disambiguation. " At the conclusion of the funeral ceremony, an American flag is folded and presented to the family of the deceased, during which the Marine Band performs "Eternal Father, Strong to Save," the Navy hymn. "Eternal Father Strong to Save", is a Hymn often associated with the Royal Navy or the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps

Marine Barracks Washington

Friday Evening Parades are held at Marine Barracks Washington, throughout the summer. This one hour and fifteen minute performance of music and precision marching, features "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps -- the Marine "D&B" -- performs martial and popular Music for hundreds of thousands of United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, a 24-man rifle Platoon, often referred to as "The Marching Twenty-Four" perform unique precision Exhibition drill The ceremony begins at 8:45 p. m. , with a concert by the United States Marine Band, and runs May through August.

Patriotic opener

A 42-piece Marine Band is used for all Pentagon and formal military arrivals and patriotic openers for large events. The Pentagon is the Headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. Patriotic openers are 15 minutes of patriotic music, including the presentation and retirement of the colors, the National Anthem, and the Marines Hymn. Patriotic openers are performed throughout the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area at a variety of events for military organizations, federal agencies, and associations.

Personnel

Selection process

Musicians in the Marine Band are selected through a rigorous audition procedure. Candidates who satisfy the musical audition must meet security and physical requirements, and then are enlisted into the Marine Corps with four year contracts. Since the Marine Corps band has no combat mission and members are non-transferrable, musicians are not required to attend boot camp. Recruit training is the initial Indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel Musicians are given the rank of staff sergeant upon joining. For the Brush-footed butterfly Species, see Athyma selenophora. Officers are drawn and commissioned from the band, but drum majors are career Marines and are selected from Fleet Marine Force bands (as they are responsible for the military development of the band's members). The Fleet Marine Force (FMF is a combined command of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which comprises a combination of permanent afloat personnel

Directors

Marine Band Uniforms

The first leader of the United States Marine Band was William Farr, who is listed in historical records as having served as Drum Major from Jan. 21, 1799. Although the Marine Band had both a Drum Major and a Fife Major during its early history—who wore identical uniforms—the Drum Major was considered the overall leader of the band. A Sergeant Major of the Drums or drum major is the leader of a Marching band, Drum and bugle corps, or Pipe band.

After the retirement of Drum Major Raphael Triay in 1855, then-Fife Major Francis Scala assumed leadership of the Marine Band. An Act of Congress signed July 25, 1861, abolished the rank of fife major and created the positions of “Leader of the Band/Principal Musician” and “Drum Major. Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common ” Francis Scala was the first Marine Band musician to receive the title “Leader of the Band”.

The titles of First and Second Leader were changed sometime during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration (1953-1961) to Director and Assistant Director. Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general This happened under the leadership of William F. Santelmann or Albert F. Schoepper.

Assistant Directors

The earliest recorded Second Leader of the United States Marine Band, as they were known until the 1950s, was Salvador Petrola.

Marine Band cornetist Walter F. Smith, who performed under 17th Director John Philip Sousa, became the first official Second Leader when an Act of Congress established the positions of First Leader and Second Leader of the Marine Band in March 1899. John Philip Sousa ( November 6, 1854 &ndash March 6, 1932) was an American Composer and conductor of the late The titles of First and Second Leader were changed sometime during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration (1953-1961) to Director and Assistant Director. Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general

When Albert F. Schoepper was appointed as Director in 1955, a second Assistant Director was added to the Marine Band leadership. Today, the Assistant Director positions are designated in two titles: Senior Assistant Director and Executive Officer, and Assistant Director.

Drum Majors

The early leadership of the Marine Band consisted of a Drum Major and a Fife Major. A Sergeant Major of the Drums or drum major is the leader of a Marching band, Drum and bugle corps, or Pipe band. The Drum Major was considered the Leader of the Marine Band and the Fife Major’s responsibility was to train the fifers. In July 1861, President Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of Congress to reorganize the Marine Band, which created the positions of Leader, who was the principal musician, Drum Major, and 30 musicians. Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal The title of Fife Major was abolished that year, and in 1881 the fife was removed from Marine Corps instrumentation.

Francis Scala, who was appointed Drum Major in 1855, became the first person to hold the official position of Leader/principal musician of the Marine Band. John Roach was selected as Drum Major.

Today, the Drum Major serves as the senior enlisted member of “The President’s Own” and is responsible for the band’s appearance, ceremonial drill, and military decorum. He is charged with directing the band in ceremonial commitments, including the Inaugural Parade, and regularly leads the band in review for U. S. Presidents, Heads of State, and international dignitaries. The Drum Major’s uniform is unique. He wears a bearskin headpiece and carries a mace, used to signal commands to the musicians. The ceremonial mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal and wood carried before a sovereign or other high official in civic ceremonies by a Mace-bearer, intended The Drum Major also wears the officer's version of the Marine Corps Emblem. The ornate sash worn across his chest is called a baldric, and is embroidered with the band’s crest and the Marine Corps’ battle honors, as well as miniatures of his own medals. A baldric (also baldrick, bawdrick, bauldrick as well as some other mostly rare or obsolete variations is a belt worn over one Shoulder

See also

• United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps
• Service bands

Notes

References

• Abbott James A. , and Elaine M. Rice. Designing Camelot: The Kennedy White House Restoration. Van Nostrand Reinhold: 1998. ISBN 0-442-02532-7.
• Clinton, Hillary Rodham. An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History. Simon & Schuster: 2000. ISBN 0-684-85799-5.
• Garrett, Wendell. Our Changing White House. Northeastern University Press: 1995. ISBN 1-55553-222-5.

External links

• Official website
• Works by the United States Marine Band at Project Gutenberg
• Marine Band Ceremonial CD — MP3 files