At the start of the conflict, Marine bands were organized at the post and regiment level. The first band to see combat in the Pacific was the 8th Marine Regiment Band on the shores of Guadalcanal. Following the battle, the 2nd Marine Division Band was formed in 1942 from surviving elements of the 2nd, 6th, and 8th Marine Regiment Bands in Wellington, New Zealand. To bolster morale, the larger band gave troops and locals on liberty a full-sized American jazz band to liven up the local dance halls and watering holes.

In addition to Guadalcanal, 2nd Marine Division Musicians were present at the battles of Tarawa, Tinian, Wake Island, and Saipan. 

Capt. Bobby Troup, actor and musician-turned wartime Marine Corps Officer, was assigned to train Marines at Montford Point. Doing additional duty as the Recreation Officer, he led shows in the Jacksonville area featuring prominent African American musicians who enlisted to fight, such as Pvt. Finis Henderson and Sgt. Joe Wilder. Troup's song "Jacksonville" became the unofficial anthem of the Marines of Montford Point. In 1944, Troup took command of the 6th Depot Company in Saipan.

The first and only all-female Marine Corps Band was organized on Camp Lejeune from 1942 to 1945. Their mission was to tour the United States and raise money for the war effort. Under the direction of Charlotte Plummer Owens, They performed 27 concerts, 15 parades, three live broadcasts and dozens of dance hall shows. Their most successful concert tour raised $7 million in war bonds. Their final performance was leading the 1945 Victory Parade for Adm. Chester Nimitz in Washington.

During the Korean and Vietnam wars, the 2nd Marine Division Band did not deploy as a complete unit. Musicians were however regularly tasked as military police, litter bearers, and security forces. From 1948-1952, legendary Dixieland trumpeter Sgt Robert "Smokey" Stover was the lead chair trumpet at the 2nd Marine Division and went on to perform with Louis Armstrong.

In 1991, the 2nd Marine Division Band saw combat action as part of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following the conflict, they performed in the Washington victory parade led by Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf.

In 2005, the 2nd Marine Division Band deployed as a full unit in support of the division headquarters. They served as the security and internal guard force for Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division at Camp Blue Diamond, Al Ramadi, Iraq, as well as Al Asad and Fallujah. Members of the band also deployed in various capacities in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The division's fight song "Follow Me" was composed in 1991 by Jack Lee. Lee took inspiration from "The Silent Second March", and the Division's battle cry "Follow Me", often accredited to Capt. Henry P. Crowe of the 2nd Marines on Guadalcanal. "The Silent Second March" was written in 1945, inspired by the exploits of the 2nd Marine Division on Tarawa Atoll.

Information Coming Soon

Information Coming Soon

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.