United States Military Bands

United States Military Bands

There are many military bands in the United States military. Some are assigned to specific military bases or units. There are also bands associated with each of the service academies.

Ten bands are considered to be premier, with members selected by screened competitive audition prior to enlisting in the particular service. Members of these bands often come from prestigious conservatories and schools of music. Each service may designate as many premier bands as necessary, usually to fulfill different needs. The United States Marine Band and the United States Coast Guard Band stand alone for their services. The United States Air Force Band and the United States Navy Band have each designated two. The United States Air Force Academy Band and the United States Naval Academy Band serve ceremonial and entertainment purposes at those institutions, while the U.S. Air Force Band and the U.S. Navy Band provide ceremonial and entertainment elements within the Washington D.C. area. The United States Army has designated four premier bands: the United States Army Band, primarily serving within the Washington D.C. area, the United States Army Field Band under the command of the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs and serving the entire nation, the United States Military Academy Band serving as do the bands in the other academies, and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, serving as ceremonial support but in the style of the American Revolutionary era. All ten of these bands are considered permanent duty stations.

Other bands in all services are staffed with members who have enlisted in the relevant service, then passed an audition to attend one of the armed forces' music schools. Unlike the premier bands, these members are rotated among a services' bands serving at various installations. These bands may provide support at their designated installations, but also frequently deploy to combat zones to provide support for the troops stationed there.

They perform in parades, military parades, presidential inaugurations, state funerals, State Arrival Ceremonies or seated, in concert.