1st Marine Division Band
1st Marine Division Logo
1st Marine Division
Oceanside, California

01

Honoring Our Heroes

Elmer Hawkins, center, a World War II veteran, poses for a photo with members of the 1st Marine Division Band during the annual 1st MARDIV...

02

Independence Day Celebration

U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division Band march down Disneyland’s Main Street in Anaheim, California, July 4, 2024. The 1st MARDIV Band was...

03

Thank you Los Angeles

U.S. Marines assigned to the 1st Marine Division Band play Taps at various locations in Los Angeles to commemorate their and the 15th Marine...

04

Los Angeles Fleet Week

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division Band perform at a Memorial Day ceremony during Fleet Week 2024 in Los Angeles, May 27, 2024. Fleet Week is an...

05

SNCO Musician of the Year

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Kevin Ashley, a pianist with the 1st Marine Division Band, performs an original arrangement titled “Ode to Old George,”...

06

Music in our Schools

U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division Band, along with other service members and civilian musicians, participate in a music clinic and joint...

07

Maestro Rafael Payare

U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division Band, along with other service members and civilian musicians, pose for a photo during a music clinic at...

 

October


San Francisco Fleet Week
Salesforce Park
October 8, 2024 @ 1:30pm
Salesforce Park | 425 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Noe Valley
October 8, 2024 @ 6:00pm
Noe Valley Town Square | 3861 24th St, San Fransico, CA 94114

Patricia's Green
October 9, 2024 @ 12:00pm
Patricia's Green in Hayes Valley | 50 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Yerba Buena Gardens Stone Stage
October 9, 2024 @ 12:00pm
Yerba Buena Gardens | 750 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103

 
One Sansome
October 9, 2024 @ 5:00pm
One Sansome | 1 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94104

Honor Our Fallen
October 10, 2024 @ 6:00pm
Herbst Theatre | 401 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102


Union Square
October 11, 2024 @ 4:30pm
Union Square | San Francisco, CA 94108

Chinatown Night Market
October 11, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Chinatown Night Market | San Francisco 94108

Fleet Fest
October 12, 2024 @ 10:00am
Pier 30/32 | 30 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107

West Portal
October 12, 2024 @ 4:00pm
San Francisco, CA 94127

Westwood
October 12, 2024 @ 8:00pm
San Francisco, CA 94109

Italian Heritage Parade
October 13, 2024 @ 12:30pm
San Francisco, CA




Performances are Free and Open to the Public!

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.

Performance Request Process

Start your request for musical support by filling out the appropriate request form below and sending it to 1MARDIV_BAND@USMC.MIL for processing. All requests will be processed in the order received in a timely manner. If your request is approved, a representative from the band will reach out to you for coordination. If your request is denied, an email explaining why your request is not eligible to receive support will be provided.

Military Request Form
Civilian Request Form
 
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.

The mission of the 1st Marine Division Band is to provide musical support to the 1st Marine Division as well as other tenant commands aboard Camp Pendleton, the surrounding community, and throughout the United States.

Commercial: (760) 725/763-4004
DSN: 365-4004 for 725 prefix
DSN: 361-4004 for 763 prefix

1st Marine Division Band
HQCO, HQBn
Attn: Band
Box 555380
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5381  
 
World War II
The 1st Marine Division Band was organized in 1940 during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations. During the early stages of World War II, the 1st Marine Division launched the first land offensive against Japan, and the band laid its instruments aside to become front line troops for the four months of the campaign. With the Division relieved at Guadalcanal and sent to Australia for rest and rehabilitation, the band again resumed its duties in the realm of music. Playing concerts at Melbourne, Sidney, and other principal cities of Australia, the band was met with enthusiastic acclaim and was soon unofficially adopted as "Australia's Own." The song Waltzing Matilda, an Australian icon, was adopted as the official song of the 1st Marine Division, after it was played for George Washington’s birthday in February 1943. With the surrender of Japan and war's end, the band returned to the United States.
1st Marine Division Band WWII Image
Korea

On June 28, 1950, the North Korea Communist Military Forces invaded South Korea. The 1st Marine Brigade Band, made up of thirty members, was activated under the command of Master Sergeant Carroll J. Mulligan, Bandmaster, and Avant M. Brannock, Drum Major. On August 2, 1950, the 1st Marine Brigade Band sailed to Pusan, South Korea aboard the USS George Clymer, nicknamed “Greasy George.” The band had to hold their own when North Korean forces swam across the Nakdong river and attacked on August 31st, 1950. 

Then, on September 15th, the 1st Marine Brigade Band participated in the invasion of Wolmi-Do Island while attached to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division Band, under the command of Chief Warrant Officer Howard Parrot, Band Officer. After a few moves, the band made the Wonsan landing. Half of the band was then pulled off the security detail to help unload and sort supplies landed at Wonsan. The band remained split; half stayed with General Smith at the rear command post, and the other half moved through North Korea to guard the forward command post of Lieutenant General Edward Craig. At the Chosin Reservoir, the latter group engaged in heavy fighting. Two bandsmen were killed and seven were wounded, not including the frostbite cases. The temperatures were so extreme that Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in Korea at 20 degrees below zero.

Vietnam

During the Vietnam era, members of the 1st Marine Division Band were deployed for a 13-month period from 1968-1969. During the daytime, the Band played concerts for the men at the outposts and camps, Changes of Command ceremonies, locals at Vietnamese villages, wounded soldiers recovering from battle, and memorial services for soldiers who had died. At night, we would put our instruments on one side of the rehearsal tent, pick up the four machine guns and other weapons on the other side of the tent, and head out to the 500 yards of hilltop overlooking the 1st Marine Division Headquarters we were responsible for defending. 

Late in the night of February 22-23, 1969, members of a North Vietnamese platoon crawled through the grass and were practically within our eleven two-man foxholes before we could even see them. It became mostly hand to hand combat. The enemy finally retreated after about an hour, leaving three bandsmen killed and four wounded. The band accounted for nineteen enemy dead, and we saw blood trails that indicated they had dragged off an undetermined number of their wounded. A few days later the band played the Memorial Service for our musicians killed, as well as a few other Marines who had been killed further down the line on the hilltop.

Image of Bob Hope with 1st Marine Division Band
Persian Gulf War

On August 2, 1990, Kuwait was invaded by its neighboring Arab state of Iraq. The 1st Marine Division Band was the first military band to be ordered to the Persian Gulf, and the only band to go into Kuwait, departing on September 2, 1990. We arrived in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia the next day, with our instruments following by sea. Almost immediately, we began the task of providing perimeter security for the Division and its Commanding General, Brigadier General James “Mike” Myatt. Our daily mission included perimeter security, foot patrols, mounted patrols, and guard duty for the mobile headquarters which, during the 100-hour blitz through Iraq and Kuwait, was constantly on the move near the front. During the attack on Iraq-occupied Kuwait, Band members cleared paths through bunker systems and mine fields, helping secure the battleground for United States forces. We also helped clear buildings at Kuwait International Airport. Some musical support was provided as well; we performed during the Marine Corps Birthday and holiday seasons for all Marines deployed in Saudi Arabia, along with daily bugle calls.

Following the seven-month deployment ended on March 14, 1991, the Band was ordered to return home. After only twenty-four hours of rest, the Band performed for every unit that came home, no matter the time of day (or night). This resulted in four to nine commitments a day, before the Bandsmen were finally given two weeks of hard-earned leave at the beginning of May.

1st Marine Division Band Persian Gulf Photo
Image of 1st Marine Division Band News Story About Birthday Ball
Operation Iraqi Freedom

2003 | In February of 2003, the 1st Marine Division Band began deploying to Kuwait in support of the war on terror. While in Kuwait, the band stood duty as well as trained on machine guns and convoy security prior to deployment into Iraq. In March, the band crossed over into Iraq, providing security for the Division Headquarters both while on the move or at each nightly stop digging fighting positions and forming perimeter security. They traveled by convoy to Baghdad in a little over 2 weeks. The band finally stopped at the Secret Police Headquarters in Baghdad for eight days, before moving south to Ad Diwaniyah.

Once the band reached Ad Diwaniyah they retrieved their instruments and started performing morale boosting concerts all over Iraq. They played in Babylon, Camp Commando, and around Diwaniyah for the numerous units in the surrounding area.

In early June the band returned to the United States and within a few days they were out providing musical support as if they hadn’t left.

2004 | Soon after returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom I, the 1st Marine Division Band started training for the next deployment. Late in 2003 they were informed that they would be returning to Iraq. In February 2004 the Band deployed to Kuwait and remained there until the 1st Marine Division advanced into Iraq. Soon thereafter, they began a 3-day push to Ar Ramadi. This was to be the band’s home for the next seven months.

In Ar Ramadi they controlled the base operations and provided perimeter security for Camp Blue Diamond. Additional assignments for the band included security on convoys to nearby bases and patrols outside the perimeter. Even though the base endured countless indirect fire attacks, the Marine Musicians still kept an intense vigilance.

Although performances were very limited during this time, the Band still participated in several ceremonies including the Change of Command ceremonies in both Ramadi and Fallujah, and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Division change of commands.

2005 - 2007 | In the most recent deployment, the 1st MarDiv Band was attached to Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5 and was deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq from February 2006 to January 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. This deployment differed from OIF I and II in that the Band continued its musical mission at home, while elements of the Band deployed.
 
The Band’s primary role in Iraq was as a security detachment. While some members of the Band served as part of the Command element, others were stationed at the Government Center in Fallujah providing over-watch security for the compound. This security allowed Civil Affairs Group personnel, as well as government, military and civilian officials, to conduct business at the compound in safety. Division bandsmen were also attached as gunners, drivers and vehicle commanders to the security element of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, as well as a multi-purpose security convoy.

Marine with 1st Marine Division Band in Iraq Photo
Marines with 1st Marine Division Band in Iraq PhotoConvoy in Iraq Photo1st Marine Division Band perform in Iraq photo
Today

Consisting of approximately 50 Marine musicians, the mission of the 1st Marine Division Band is to provide musical support to the 1st Marine Division as well as other tenant commands aboard Camp Pendleton, the surrounding community, and throughout the United States. The band fulfills numerous musical requirements by performing as a military marching band, wind ensemble, jazz band, popular music group, jazz combo, brass band, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, and saxophone quartet. Overall, the band supports over 400 engagements annually. Past highlights include: the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the State Funeral for President Ford, the Tournament of Roses Parade, annual performances at the Center for the Performing arts, in Escondido, California, the Swallow’s Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano, and most recently, the Disney Magic Music Days in Downtown Disney and San Francisco Fleet Week. All Marine Corps Bands preserve the values that comprise the unique and fundamental national character of the United States. Whether performing music or serving in a combat zone, the 1st Marine Division Band carries on this esteemed tradition and remains the “Pride of the Division.”

1st Marine Division Band Current Photo

 
 
 
Today

1st Marine Division Band Current PhotoConsisting of approximately 50 Marine musicians, the mission of the 1st Marine Division Band is to provide musical support to the 1st Marine Division as well as other tenant commands aboard Camp Pendleton, the surrounding community, and throughout the United States. The band fulfills numerous musical requirements by performing as a military marching band, wind ensemble, jazz band, popular music group, jazz combo, brass band, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, and saxophone quartet. Overall, the band supports over 400 engagements annually. Past highlights include: the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the State Funeral for President Ford, the Tournament of Roses Parade, annual performances at the Center for the Performing arts, in Escondido, California, the Swallow’s Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano, and most recently, the Disney Magic Music Days in Downtown Disney and San Francisco Fleet Week. All Marine Corps Bands preserve the values that comprise the unique and fundamental national character of the United States. Whether performing music or serving in a combat zone, the 1st Marine Division Band carries on this esteemed tradition and remains the “Pride of the Division.”

1st Marine Division Band Leaders

1st Marine Division Band
Band Officer

In 2022, Captain Kyne reported to the Blue Diamond where he currently serves as the Officer in Charge of the First Marine Division Band.

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Master Gunnery Sergeant Devon T. Van
Enlisted Band Leader & Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge

Master Gunnery Sergeant Devon Van enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended Recruit Training in

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1st Marine Division Band
Enlisted Conductor

Staff Sergeant Joseph Tutor was born in Orange, CA. He attended Loara High School in Anaheim, CA

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1st Marine Division Band
Drum Major

Staff Sergeant Elizabeth I Kelson was born on 11 March 1990 in Mesa, Arizona, and later moved to

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1st Marine Division Band
Production Manager

Staff Sergeant Soeung was born in Fontana, California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2013

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1st Marine Division Band
Instrument Repair Technician

Gunnery Sergeant Esteban R. Aguirre hails from Fresno, California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps

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