President John Adams invited the Marine Band to make its White House debut in the unfinished Executive Mansion on New Year's Day 1801. In March of that year, the band performed for the inaugural of Thomas Jefferson and has performed for every Presidential inaugural since that time. In Jefferson, the band found its most visionary advocate and friend. An accomplished musician himself, Jefferson recognized the unique relationship between the band and the Chief Executive by giving the Marine Band the title, "The President's Own."

Whether performing for South Lawn arrival ceremonies, State Dinners, or receptions, Marine Band musicians appear at the White House more than 200 times each year. These performances range from a solo harpist or chamber orchestra to a dance band or full concert band, making versatility an important requirement for band members. Additionally, the band participates in more than 500 public and official performances annually, including concerts and ceremonies throughout the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Each fall, the band travels through a region of the United States during its concert tour, a century-old tradition started by the band's legendary 17th Director John Philip Sousa.

As Director from 1880-1892, Sousa brought "The President's Own" to unprecedented levels of excellence and shaped the band into a world-famous musical organization. During his tenure, the band was one of the first musical ensembles to make sound recordings. Sousa also began to write the marches that earned him the title "The March King."

"The President's Own" continues to maintain Sousa's standard of excellence. Marine Band musicians are selected at auditions much like those of major symphony orchestras. They enlist in the Marine Corps for duty with the Marine Band only. Most current members are graduates of our nation's most prestigious music schools, often holding advanced degrees in music. More than 90 percent serve with the Marine Band for 20 or more years.

On July 11, 1998, the Marine Band celebrated its 200th Anniversary with a gala concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington attended by the President and First Lady. Also during 1998, the Marine Band became the only organization to be inducted in the inaugural class of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in Cincinnati.

In July 2001, the Marine Band traveled to Switzerland to perform in conjunction with the 10th International Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE). The band’s performance schedule included two live concerts in Luzern, one in Bern, and a short program for radio broadcast on the band’s 203rd birthday, July 11. In addition to being guest conducted by Dr. Frederick Fennell, the band also presented the world premičre of David Rakowski’s Ten of a Kind, a work commissioned by “The President’s Own.” The composition was named one of two finalists for the 86th annual Pulitzer Prize for music in April 2002.

As the Marine Band enters its third century, it continues a tradition of excellence that earned it the title, "The President's Own." Whether in White House performances, public concerts, or national tours, the music of the Marine Band is the music of America.

Drum & Bugle Corps

The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performs martial and popular music for hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.

The Corps of more than 80 Marine musicians, dressed in ceremonial red and white uniforms, is known world-wide as a premier musical marching unit.

Throughout the summer months the unit performs in the traditional Friday Evening Parades held at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., and in Sunset Parades at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Monument) in Arlington, Va., every Tuesday evening.

The Drum and Bugle Corps travels more than 50,000 miles annually, performing in excess of 400 events across the nation and abroad.

The history of the unit can be traced to the early days of the Marine Corps. In the 18th and 19th centuries military musicians, or "field musics," provided a means of passing commands to Marines in battle formations. The sound of various drum beats and bugle calls could be easily heard over the noise of the battlefield and signalled Marines to attack the enemy or retire for the evening. Through the 1930's, Marine Corps posts were still authorized a number of buglers and drummers to play the traditional calls and to ring a ship's bell to signal the time.

The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps was formed in 1934, at historic Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., to augment the United States Marine Band. The unit provided musical support to ceremonies around the nation's capitol and, during World War II, was additionally tasked with Presidential support duties. For this additional role, they were awarded the scarlet and gold breastcord by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which they now proudly display on their uniform.

When the war ended, the Drum and Bugle Corps resumed performing at various military and public ceremonies.

In the early 1950s the unit gained considerable acclaim performing for an increasing number of civilian audiences. Music composed specifically for their unique selection of instruments helped establish their reputation for excellence during this period. These factors also led to the unit's formal designation as "The Commandant's Own"-a title noting their special status as musicians for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In the tradition of their "field music" predecessors, these musicians in "The Commandant's Own" are Marines in the truest sense of the word. Every enlisted member is a graduate of Marine Corps recruit training and is trained in basic infantry skills. Prior to enlisting, each Marine must pass a demanding audition for service in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Following Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training, the Marines are assigned to "The Commandant's Own."

Marine Corps Field Bands

The Marine Corps field commands throughout the Continental United States, in Hawaii and in Japan are all assigned a Marine Corps Band. These units provide music to support military ceremonies and official activities, Marine Corps community relations programs, and recruiting programs. In addition, Marine Corps field bands augment headquarters defense elements in a combat environment. Each Marine field musician must complete recruit training and Marine Combat training, with follow on formal musical training at the U.S.Navy School of Music. Marine field bands are comprised of four integrated elements: the ceremonial band, the concert band, the stage band and the combo Music in the Marines goes back to 1775 when the Corps was authorized Drums and Fife's as a method of delivering signals and providing music for parades and ceremonies.

Currently the Corps has musical units organized into three components: The U.S. Marine Band, The U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the Marine Corps Bands assigned to major field units.

The Leatherneck Pipes & Drums

... were formed in 1991; the inspiration of two former Marines - Doug Mallon and Ted Grundmann. An original group of seven pipers and three drummers represented Marine Veterans from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Today, as many as thirty members may perform in concert or on parade; thrilling audiences young and old with a unique brand of military music and pageantry. The Leatherneck Pipe Band is dedicated to preserve and promulgate the proud history and traditions of the United States Marine Corps through their musical presentations. The band is augmented by a historic military Color Guard, and represents more than 330 years of service to Country and Corps. This cumulative total includes band member participation in almost every significant military engagement from World War II to present UN peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Bosnia and the Middle East.

The Leathernecks wear the dress blue uniform and kilt similar to that of the United States Marines, in tribute to our nation's premier fighting force. Each bagpipe cover shows the distinctive "Shamrock" patch issued in 1942 to US Marines stationed in Northern Ireland, wartime home of the original Marine Corps bagpipe band. The insignia as displayed, is in tribute to our forebears whose name we proudly carry.

The Color Guard musters in the 1941 uniform of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, ordered to Iceland to bolster British defense forces. This pre-Pearl Harbor overseas deployment represented the first American military assistance to Great Britain and Allies; then engaged in World War II against German forces.

The band has performed before Presidents and Prime Ministers; on land and at sea; in hundreds of parades, concerts and ceremonies during the past eleven years. The Leatherneck Pipes and Drums have appeared on national and international television in addition to performing before military and civilian audiences from coast to coast.

In 1993, the Department of the Navy awarded the Leatherneck Pipes & Drums the "Commendation and Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service" on behalf of the United States Marine Corps. Presentation by Medal of Honor (MOH) winner, Major General J. E. Livingston, USMC