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US Marines Band

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(Thanks to Kenneth Berger's Band Encyclopedia.)

 

During the Revolutionary War the Marines boasted a band of fifes and drums.  After the war practically everything of a military nature ceased including the Marines.  In 1798, President John Adams approved a bill which brought into existence the new Marine Corps and with it a new Marine band made up of a Drum major, a Fife major and 32 drums and fifes.  These "Musics" served for recruiting campaigns, sea duties during the French Naval War (1798-1801) and others were retained in the capital of the US, which was then Philadelphia.  In 1800, the band moved to Washington, DC, the new capital.

 

The band gave its first Washington concert in August 1800.  In December of that year the band consisted of: 2 Clarinets, 2 Oboes, 2 French Horns, a Bassoon and a drum in addition to its Fife and Drum corps.  The band became a favorite of President Adams and made its White House debut on New Years Day 1801.  From that time on becoming the "President's Own".  Since Jefferson's time the band has played for every presidential inauguration and has played at the White House for every president.  The band's official status dates from Lincoln's presidency as Congress authorized a band of 35 musicians and a leader.  In 1899, the strength was increased to 35 first class, 30 second class musicians and a second leader.

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