Service bands
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
United States Service Bands Each of the Branches of the U.S. Military, has a headquarters band organization, all but one of which are in the Washington, D.C. area. Today, the service band organizations consists of one or more bands and musical ensembles. There are also military bands assigned to specific military units and the military service academies.
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Marine Band
Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is America’s oldest professional musical organization. Today, “The President’s Own” is celebrated for its role at the White House and its dynamic public performances. “The President’s Own” encompasses the United States Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, and Marine Chamber Ensembles, and performs regularly at the White House and for more than 500 public performances across the nation each year. The Marine Band was headquartered at Marine Barracks at 8th and I in Washington, D.C. until September 2004 when it moved to the new Marine Barracks Annex and Marine Band Support Facility, located just around the corner at 7th and Virginia Avenue.
Marine Band Home (http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/WHO_WE_ARE/index.htm)
More about the Marine Band
Navy Band
Since its official designation in 1925, the U.S. Navy Band has grown to become a diverse organization comprised of 172 enlisted musicians and four officers. Based at the historic Washington, D.C. Navy Yard, the organization features a concert-ceremonial unit and four distinct specialty units--the "Sea Chanters" chorus (1956), the "Commodores" jazz ensemble (1969), the "Country Current" country-bluegrass group (1973), and the "Cruisers" rock ensemble (1999). The band also features several chamber music groups.
The earliest music of the United States Navy was the shantyman's song. These melodies of the sea helped soften the rigors of shipboard life. Next came trumpeters, drummers and fifers who were carried on the early frigates to sound calls, give general orders, and perform at funerals and other ceremonies. Bands became a separate section of the crew on many Navy vessels.
The development of shore-based bands in the 1800s led to the creation of the Naval Academy Band, which grew in size and importance during the Civil War. Other band units afloat and ashore played a major role in promoting the morale of sailors and civilians alike.
At the start of World War I many outstanding musicians left their famous orchestras and joined the Navy, using their talents to further the war effort.
In 1916, a 16-piece band from the battleship USS Kansas was ordered to the Washington Navy Yard to augment a 17-piece band aboard the Presidential Yacht Mayflower. The new unit became known as the "Washington Navy Yard Band" and was given rehearsal space near the power plant's coal pile. The increasing tempo of the band's duties led the bandmaster to seek more suitable quarters in the yard's "Sail Loft," and sailmakers were soon cutting and stitching their canvas to the rhythms of the music. The Navy Band still occupies the Sail Loft as its headquarters and rehearsal hall.
In 1923, a 35-man contingent from the Navy Yard Band accompanied President Harding to Alaska. After the president's unexpected death in San Francisco, the band performed "Nearer My God To Thee" as his body was placed aboard a train destined for Washington, D.C.
With the band growing in importance and prestige, President Coolidge signed into law a 1925 bill stating "hereafter the band now stationed at the Navy Yard, known as the Navy Yard Band, shall be designated as the United States Navy Band." The legislation also allowed the band to take its first national tour in 1925.
Among those praising the early U.S. Navy Band was the Boston Post which printed on March 13, 1929: "…Some folks have an idea perhaps that Navy music is made up of a few chantey choruses, a jig, and The Star Spangled Banner. To the average American Citizen the performance last night must have been a truly startling eye-opener. They performed like a company of first-rank virtuosi…"
Under the baton of Lt. Charles Benter, the Band's first leader, the Navy Band was featured at many historic occasions, including the 1927 return of Charles Lindbergh following his trans-Atlantic flight. Two years later, the band performed for the return of Adm. Richard E. Byrd from his famous South Pole flight. The need for qualified musicians led Lt. Benter to found the Navy School of Music under his charge in 1935. Many of the faculty were bandsmen who taught in addition to their performance duties.
From 1929 to 1939, the Navy Band took to the air waves with Arthur Godfrey on NBC's "Hour of Memories" radio program. During World War II, the Navy Band supported the sale of war bonds and assisted in national recruiting efforts, although the majority of the band's time was spent performing at the daily funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.
At the close of the war in 1945, "The Navy Hour" was born. It featured such entertainers as Lt. Robert Taylor and Lt.(j.g.) Gene Kelly. With its departure from radio in 1968, "The Navy Hour" set a record for one of the longest tenures in radio.
Since World War II, the Navy Band has continued to serve ceremonial needs at the seat of government, performing at presidential inaugurals, diplomatic arrivals and national holiday observances. The Navy Band performed for the "Beam of Hope" remembrance ceremony at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., in 2002; the United in Memory memorial service at the Pentagon in 2001; the International Naval Review 2000 festivities in New York City; the 1999 Veterans of Foreign Wars 100th Anniversary celebration at their national convention in Kansas City, Mo.; the 1998 rededication of the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; the 1997 dedication of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Ceremony of Dedication; the 1995 Korean War Veterans Memorial dedication parade; the 1993 rededication of the Statue of Freedom and the Bicentennial of the United States Capitol; and the return of the Iran hostages in 1981. The Band's four specialty units help to meet the public demand for different types of music as well as the needs of Navy recruiting.
Directed by Capt. Ralph M. Gambone, the 11th officer to hold this position, the U.S. Navy Band expertly presents all styles of music-from ceremonial "ruffles and flourishes" to classical, rock, jazz and country favorites. The organization continues a proud tradition of professionalism and service long associated with the United States Navy.
Navy Band Home (http://www.navyband.navy.mil/history.htm)
Army Band
For over 81 years, The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" has maintained a tradition of excellence as the premier musical organization of The United States Army. The Band was founded in 1922 by Army Chief of Staff General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing to emulate European military bands he heard during World War I. The Band continues to play an important role in events of national and international significance, staging performances from the battlefields of World War II to our Nation's Capital.
During its early years, The Band became widely known and critically acclaimed for radio broadcasts featured on several networks, including RCA, CBS and the Mutual Broadcasting Network. The Band also completed four national tours between 1928 and 1931 and became highly respected for its performances during a trip to Spain for the Ibero-American Exposition in Spring 1929.
In June 1943, The Band was called overseas to perform first in North Africa and then battle-weary Europe, returning to U.S. soil in June 1945. The Band received a battle streamer for their efforts during the Rhineland Campaign and is the only Washington-based military band to have participated in a theater of foreign combat operations.
The period after World War II saw The Band expand in scope and diversity to keep pace with an increased demand for numerous and specialized assignments. The United States Army Ceremonial Band, The United States Army Chorus, The United States Army Herald Trumpets and The United States Army Strings were established as regular performing units during this time.
This period also saw The Band perform with numerous well-known artists and composers, many as part of the very successful Freedom Sings concert series that started in 1950 and continued for several years. Notables include Metropolitan Opera bass Jerome Hines, composers Paul Hindemith and Percy Grainger, and the pianist duo Whittmore and Lowe.
Similarly, several well-known entertainers and recording artists were band members during this period. Eddie Fisher, Robert Dini and Steve Lawrence were very popular during the 1950's, as were harpist Lloyd Lindroth, future Metropolitan Opera tenor George Shirley and announcer Charles Osgood.
Throughout the 60's, 70's and 80's, The Band continued to perform and serve with distinction. In 1963, The Band participated in the funeral of President John F. Kennedy with Army Band Bugler Keith Clark performing Taps at the graveside service in Arlington National Cemetery. Brucker Hall, The Band's training and performance facility, was constructed in the mid-1970's. Also during this era, The Army Blues jazz ensemble, The United States Army Chorale and The Unites States Army Brass Band were officially established as regular performing ensembles.
An official Coat of Arms and distinctive uniforms were approved to reflect The Band's increasing visibility at events of national significance, including the visit of Emperor Hirohito to Alaska with President Nixon, the United States Bicentennial Celebration, the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, the return of the former U.S. hostages from Iran, the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee and the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Band has performed in Canada, Japan and Australia as well as in several of the nation's prominent concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and the Guggenheim Band Shell at Lincoln Center in New York, the Hollywood Bowl and the Hatch Shell in Boston. In 1984, The Band recorded and participated in the filming of Francis Ford Coppolla's movie Gardens Of Stone.
Under the leadership of Colonel L. Bryan Shelburne, leader and commander (1990 - 2000), The Band continued its tradition of excellence with performances at the 1990 Economic Summit in Houston, the Desert Storm Victory Parade in New York and Reba McEntire's Christmas Special in Nashville. Col. Shelburne has also led The Band in performances in Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkey, Novia Scotia and Scotland including a concert of International Goodwill with the Soviet Union's Navy Band of Moscow in Stockholm.
In November 1997, The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" culminated its rich 75 year history with a grand concert at Carnegie Hall in New York. Guest artists included Walter Cronkite, Charles Osgood and Metropolitan Opera stars Roberta Peters and John Cheek.
In April 2000, Colonel Gary F. Lamb returned to The United States Army Band, (he had been assigned here previously in 1986 at which time he was the Deputy Commander and held positions as Director of The Army Chorale, and Director of The Army Chorus), to become the seventh Leader and Commander.
The U.S. Army Band is headquartered at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia.
Army Band Home (http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/WHO_WE_ARE/index.htm)
Coast Guard Band
In March 1925, the United States Coast Guard Band was organized with the assistance of Lt. Charles Benter, leader of the United States Navy Band, Dr. Walter Damrosch, conductor of the New York Philharmonic, and "American March King" John Philip Sousa, former director of the United States Marine Band.
Forty years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Congressional Legislation that resulted in the Coast Guard Band becoming the permanent, official musical representative of the nation's oldest continuous seagoing service. This event established the Coast Guard Band as one of the five premier service bands in the United States.
The duties of the Coast Guard Band have greatly expanded since 1965. Originally a small command band located at the Academy and used primarily for local purposes, today the band routinely tours throughout the United States and has performed in the former Soviet Union and in England. It represents the Coast Guard around the nation and the world, at presidential functions, and for the Secretary of Homeland Security and other cabinet officials on formal and informal occasions.
Since its formation in 1925, the Coast Guard Band has developed an international reputation as one of the finest professional concert bands in the world, offering music of great variety and appeal. The band produces recordings and regularly furnishes programs to National Public Radio for broadcast over the entire country. Concerts have also been broadcast in Australia, Japan and Europe.
The Coast Guard Band is headquartered in New London, Connecticut.
Coast Guard Band Home (http://www.uscg.mil/band/cgbandhistory.html)
Air Force Band
The United States Air Force Band is a musical organization with an outstanding record of achievement of more than 60 years. Known as "America's International Musical Ambassadors," it has won the hearts of millions of music lovers throughout the world.
The Band's official military life began on September 24, 1941, with the formation of the Bolling Army Air Forces Band under the sponsorship of Lieutenant L.P. Holcomb, commanding officer of the Air Base Group at Bolling Field. Since that time, the Band has grown from relative obscurity to stardom under the leadership of ten diverse and talented conductors.
Over the years, The United States Air Force Band has performed live for over 100 million people of every race, color, creed and ideology. Additional millions have heard them through numerous radio and television appearances.
The United States Air Force Band conceived and pioneered the concept that a musical organization can be a nation's most effective goodwill ambassador. This concept has been proven decisively through more than 25 international concert tours, with performances in more than 50 countries and 42 world capitals. By providing first-hand insight into American culture, the musicians of The United States Air Force Band help create a better understanding among all people of the world.
The United States Air Force Band is headquartered at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.
Air Force Band Home (http://www.usafband.com/about_history.cfm)
Other U.S. Military Service Bands
- The United States Army Field Band (http://www.army.mil/fieldband/) (founded in 1946, Fort Meade, MD)
- USAF Heritage of America Band (http://www2.acc.af.mil/music/band.html) (founded in 1941 as the Army Air Corps Band, Langley Air Force Base, VA)
- U.S. Military Academy Band (http://www.usma.army.mil/band/heritage.htm) (founded 1817, West Point, NY)
- Naval Academy Band (http://www.nadn.navy.mil/USNABand/) (founded in 1845, Annapolis, MD)
- Air Force Academy Band (http://www.usafacademyband.com/) (inception in 1942 as the "Flying Yanks", reactivated for the Air Force Academy in 1955, Colorado Springs, CO)
