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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The mission of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing band is to provide music in support of military ceremonies, Department of Defense sponsored functions, community engagement, and Marine recruiting 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 Second Marine Aircraft Wing Band provides security augmentation as directed.
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band
PSC 8076
Cherry Point, NC 28533-0076
Commercial: (252) 466-2330
DSN: 582-2330
2dMAW.Band.Requests.OMB@usmc.mil
HISTORY
The 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. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band performs at both military and civilian ceremonies, formal concerts, community celebrations, parades, festivals, and public relations tours. Past highlights include appearances at the Cotton Bowl, the Kentucky Derby, the Indy 500, the Miss America Pageant Parade, numerous Mardi Gras Parades, and the International Marine Tattoo in Rochester, NY. The band has also appeared internationally in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Caribbean, Germany, Denmark, Scotland, England, Iceland, France and Haiti. On one of these tours, the band had the distinct honor of performing for the Queen of Denmark and Prince Edward of Great Britain.
In addition to its musical mission, the 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.”