The mission of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band is to provide music in support of military ceremonies, Department of Defense-sponsored functions, community engagement, and Marine recruiting efforts, in order to inspire patriotism, re-affirm national values and military traditions, and build confidence in the fidelity and professionalism of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the Marine Corps, and the Armed Forces of the United States.  Additionally, during tactical deployment 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band provides security augmentation as directed.

HISTORY

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band was formed for service in 1941 when the Wing itself was commissioned in response to the United States’ entry into World War II. For eight decades, the band has distinguished itself as a musical ambassador of the Marine Corps by performing at over 300 events annually. 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band performs at both military and civilian ceremonies, formal concerts, community celebrations, parades, festivals, and public relations tours. Marine Corps Band heritage dates back to the whistling fifes and rolling drums of the first Marines when the Corps was established in 1775 and upholds the tradition of excellence and service to Corps and country, which is a proud legacy to all Marines. 

Past highlights include appearances at the Cotton Bowl, the New York International Auto Show, the Kentucky Derby, the Indy 500, the Coca-Cola 600, the Miss America Pageant Parade, Mardi Gras Parades, the International Marine Tattoo, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Parade in Ontario, Fleet Week in New York City, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Marine Weeks in Nashville and Atlanta, the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, the Cleveland International Tattoo, and the Fortissimo Sunset Ceremony in Ottawa. In addition to performances along the Eastern United States, the Band has also appeared internationally in Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Haiti, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, and Scotland. On one of these tours, the Band had the distinct honor of performing for the Queen of Denmark and Price Edward of Great Britain.  

In addition to its musical mission, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band has supported combat operations throughout its history; most recently deploying to Afghanistan, in 2009, as a security augmentation force in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. The band has received Certificates of Commendation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1973 and 1985 and Meritorious Unit Citations in 1972 and 1984 for excellence in the performance of duty. The Band continues their legacy by serving and inspiring the thousands of Marines, Sailors, civilians, and families for who call Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and the surrounding communities “home.”

 

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Information Coming Soon

As a Marine musician, you'll have the opportunity to serve with one of the ten renowned Marine Corps Fleet bands throughout the world. All Marine musicians are assigned as instrumentalists / vocalists during their first enlistment. Follow-on career opportunities for leadership roles within the bands include: Directors, Enlisted Bandleaders, Ensemble Leaders (Enlisted Conductors /  Drum Majors), Production Managers, and Instrument Repair Technicians.

Instrumentalist / vocalist

Musicians perform in a Marine Corps Fleet Band for concerts, parades, ceremonies, and various other official functions in support of the Marine Corps Bands' mission. Musicians perform additional duties in support of band operations, such as supply, administrative assistant, and / or music librarian. Additional increased responsibilities relating to music performance are assigned based on grade / experience, such as instrument section leader or leader of a small ensemble.

Director

Directors serve as the officer-in-charge of Marine Corps Fleet Bands and primary conductor. Directors also manage, administer, and coordinate musical performances, develop budgets and annual operation plans, direct internal operations and training, and supervise the employment of a Marine Corps Fleet Band.

Enlisted Bandleader

Enlisted Bandleaders serve as the senior enlisted Marine of a Marine Corps Fleet Band. Enlisted Bandleaders assist and advise the Director in developing the musical proficiency of the band, planning and scheduling, and supervising the necessary administrative duties of a musical unit.

Ensemble Leader (Enlisted Conductor / Drum Major)

Ensemble Leaders direct, train and manage the musical performances of the full band, to include small ensembles. Additionally, they assist and advise the Director and Enlisted Bandleader on musical development, implementation of musical protocol for ceremonies. They lead the band in concerts, ceremonies, and / or on the march.

Production Manager

Production Managers manage the audio/visual production support for band operations to include: live sound reinforcement and recording, stage lighting, digital media production, and band marketing.

Instrument Repair Technician

Instrument Repair Technicians provide repair and maintenance of musical instruments assigned to a Marine Corps Fleet Band. Additionally, they assist in the purchasing plans of band equipment.

There are two essential elements to the audition process; you must establish your entrance qualifications as a musician and as a United States Marine. The Musician Placement Director is the Marine responsible for reviewing and certifying your musical qualification. A local Marine Corps recruiter will help you determine your Marine Corps entrance qualifications and guide your through the process of becoming a Marine.

In order to become eligible to serve as a Marine musician, musical proficiency must be established in accordance with Marine Corps Audition Standards. By following a two-round process, we establish an applicant's potential for service as a Marine musician. The first round is a screening round, wherein we learn about your musical background and establish the likelihood of you successfully meeting the requirements of the next round. Upon successful screening, you will be invited to participate in the audition round, which consists of a live audition proctored by the Musician Placement Director nearest to your geographical area. This audition round serves as the final assessment for establishing musical entrance qualifications for service as a Marine musician.
 

Screening Round

The screening round is used to establish your musical background and potential to succeed in the audition round. You will be asked to provide audio OR video recordings performing specified musical excerpts and a completed "Sign Up" form submission. 

Audio and video recording must be of a good quality and consist of all excerpts. Your local Musician Placement Director can provide specific guidance, should you have any questions.

Audition Round

Based on successful evaluation of the screening round, you may be invited to perform the audition round. The audition round consists of an in-person audition proctored by the Musician Placement Director nearest to your geographical area. During the audition round, you will perform specified excerpts and sight-read from a collection of short selections. Dates for the audition round are often published or, in some cases, individually scheduled. 

For more information regarding the audition process, including instrument-specific requirements, email: MarineMusic@marines.usmc.mil

To request an audition, visit our Audition Request Form.