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US Coast Guard Academy Band
(Thanks to Kenneth Berger's Band Encyclopedia.)
Rear Admiral RC Bullard, then commandant of the Academy, formed the band in 1925 based upon the planning done by John Phillip Sousa, Lt. Charles Benter of the Navy band and Dr. Walter Damrosch. There was a demonstrated need for such an organization at the Academy even though at the time, no legislative authority then existed.
The first bandmaster was Hayden O Jenks who enlisted in the Coast Guard on May 10th 1925 and eight days later proceeded to establish the band of 18 men. In 1929, the band was increased to 29 members and later to 35. During WWII the band expanded to 48 musicians and was again reduced after the war to 30 . Jenks retired as Chief Musician in 1934 and was replaced by Charles W Messer. Messer served as Chief Musician and later as Lt (JG) until 1946 when he retired. In 1946 the director became George H Jenks Jr a nephew of the first Bandmaster.
In addition to military functions at the Academy the band has participated in the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition in 1928, attended the 1931 VFW national convention, marched in the 1952 presidential inaugural parade in Washington and in 1954 played for the launching of the world's first nuclear submarine.