Marine Corps Fleet Music

Marine Corps Logo
Headquarters Marine Corps
Marine Corps Fleet Bands perform at ceremonies, parades, festivals, professional sporting events, concerts, and other public events across the United States and around the world. Marine Corps Fleet Bands entertain and educate their audiences; inspire patriotism and represent American values through music; and represent the discipline and professionalism of the Marine Corps itself.

 

01

The Sound of a Hometown Hero

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brandon Tyler Hatmaker, a musician with the Marine Forces Reserve Band, Marine Forces Reserve, tours his hometown of...

02

III MEF Band Performs with SWADF Band

Musicians of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and the Southwestern Air Defense Force Band of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force performed a...

03

U.S. MARINES AND ALLIES MARK 104TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOOD

U.S. Marines, French, and German service members, along with American Battle Monuments Commission members, and other guests remember the fallen...

04

U.S. Navy Corpsmen Memorial Dedication Ceremony

The 2nd Marine Division band attends the Corpsman Memorial Dedication Ceremony at Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Oct. 12,...

05

Belleau Wood Commemoration

U.S. Marines with the 2d Marine Division Band march in formation during a ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France, May 29, 2022....

 

Musicians were among the first to enlist in the newly formed United States Marine Corps. They were employed to recruit and were active as musicians and warfighters in the seaports along the Atlantic coast.  

In 1798, the US Marine Band was officially established and consisted of 32 drummers and fifers. The remaining Marine musicians were referred to as field musicians, and they were assigned to ships and posts across the Marine Corps.

Marine Corps Fleet Bands
Communication Directorate, HQMC
3000 Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350

Marine Corps Fleet Bands, Director: (703) 692-1453
Marine Corps Fleet Bands, Senior Enlisted Advisor: (703) 614-4308
Marine Corps Fleet Bands, Band Marketing / Outreach: (703) 693-2184
Marine Corps Fleet Bands, Personnel Assignment / Operations: (703) 614-4577

Marine musicians perform a wide variety of military and civic events such as ceremonies, parades, festivals, public concerts, educational outreach, and professional sporting events. Music support utilizes a variety of ensemble configurations to include wind ensemble, ceremonial band, brass band, jazz combo, popular music group, brass quintet, jazz ensemble, and bugler.


Public & Civic Events

Whether a traditional concert hall, outdoor venue or parade, military band performances must be free and open to the public. Marine Bands may perform at fairs, exhibitions and similar venues with admission fees if the performance is incidental to the primary event and no additional fee is charged to hear the band perform. Additional restrictions may apply. 


Policy and Legal Restrictions
  1. U.S. Military participation does not imply endorsement of the event or the organization hosting the event. The requested information is required to evaluate the event. Please complete all sections.

  2. Armed Forces musical units are organized for ceremonial and traditional purposes and to support recruiting activities. However, they may be authorized to provide certain specified presentations, such as patriotic ceremonies for public programs. Armed Forces musical organizations are not permitted to provide entertainment, background, dinner, dance or other social music at public or private events in competition with the customary or regular employment of local civilian musicians. Limited resources permit only one band and/or choir to perform at an event, and the Military Services reserve the right to cancel support to requesters who have scheduled more than one such military unit.

  3. Department of Defense (DoD) policies require that Armed Forces participation in public events will be provided at no additional cost to the Government, which means un-programmed costs incurred solely because of participation in or support of an unplanned activity. For example, additional costs to the Government include unplanned travel and transportation, meals and lodging for military personnel away from Government mess, civilian per diem, and overtime pay. Unsolicited contributions of money, personal property, or services (e.g., gifts in kind for lodging, meals, transportation) may be accepted for the benefit of military musical units for events that align with the DoD's mission. All costs are binding after a unit, personnel, or exhibit has arrived at an event site, even though weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances force the event to be cancelled.

  4. Requests should be submitted to the appropriate Military Service not less than 30 days in advance of a scheduled program. Final determination will occur no earlier than 90 days in advance. Please realize that all Armed Forces units have specific military missions and training requirements. Participation in public programs will only be authorized when such support is in the best interests of the DoD and the Military Services and does not interfere with mission or training programs. In all cases, operational commitments must take priority and can cause previously scheduled appearances to be cancelled.


Performance Request Process

Start your request for musical support by choosing the appropriate request form below. Once received, we will determine whether we can support your request. If your request is approved, a representative from the band will reach out to you for coordination. If your request is denied, you/your organization will receive an email explaining why your request is not eligible to receive support.


Military Request Form
Civilian Request Form

Marine Music Leaders

Marine Corps Fleet Music
Director, Marine Corps Fleet Bands

Captain Stephen Talbot is currently serving as Director, Marine Corps Fleet Music, where he directs and oversees Occupational Field and Program management matters, as well as service-level strategic music outreach of the Marine Corps Fleet Bands on behalf of the Director of Communication, Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.

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Marine Corps Fleet Music
Senior Enlisted Advisor

Master Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Weege reported to Communication Directorate in April 2021 and currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Marine Corps Fleet Music.

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Marine Corps Fleet Music
Band Marketing / Outreach Coordinator

In August of 2023, Master Gunnery Sergeant Robert Marroquín reported to Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps where he serves as the Band Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for Marine Corps Fleet Music.

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Marine Corps Fleet Music
Instrumentalist Assignments / Operations Chief

Gunnery Sergeant Timothy Scherer is currently serving as the Instrumentalist Assignments / Operations Chief for Marine Corps Fleet Music, Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.

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