The Parris Island Marine Band’s primary mission is to inspire audiences through superior musical excellence as direct representatives of the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region. We will exemplify the Marine Corps values and characteristics which serve as hallmarks of the most elite fighting force in the entire world. The Marines of the Parris Island Marine band will continuously sustain a successful culture rich in discipline, professionalism, balanced excellence, and compassion for each other.

In 1775 a few good men answered the call of their country to establish the United States Marine Corps. Since then, our tradition has grown and developed. Each successive generation of Marines inherits the tradition and pride the Corps has earned through sacrifice, honor, and duty to Corps and country. The Parris Island Marine Band reflects those qualities which are truly and uniquely “Marine”, and has earned the reputation as being one of the premier musical units in the United States Armed Forces.

On October 28, 1915, the Department of the Navy officially transferred Marine Corps Recruit Training from Norfolk, Virginia to Parris Island, South Carolina. Among the first 750 Marines sent to Parris Island were the Depot’s first Bandmaster, Sergeant William Gauer, and the Depot’s first Drum Major, Sergeant Anton Schnichowski, who with a group of Marine Musicians, formed the Parris Island Marine Band. (Until this time, musicians had been trained by individual bands, so a field music school was established at Parris Island to train buglers who were still being used for calls and signals.) Previously, Marine Musicians had been trained in individual fleet bands to satisfy functions such as being a bugler, which was used to signal important times and movements throughout the day. Musicians also augmented as marksmanship instructors, close combat instructors, and provided support for various units on the Depot.

In addition to the constant state of musical readiness for which Marine bands are known, the members never lose sight of the fact that they are, first and foremost, Marines. To live up to this responsibility, the band participates in all required Marine Corps training, consisting of Marine field exercises, physical fitness and combat readiness tests, combat water survival, and annual service rifle qualification. This is to ensure Marine musicians remain prepared to perform their primary mission as basic Marine riflemen.

“The band was an efficient musical unit,” said Captain Charles Pearson, Parris Island Marine Band Officer from 1964-1967, and 1969-1972. “[The band] is a representation of a spirit, a feeling difficult to define. There is something about a stirring march that often reaches a person’s soul, to the very center of his being. It might be called patriotism, courage, or almost anything,” Pearson continued. “But it’s essentially the spirit that makes people yearn to excel and to do for others. The Parris Island Marine Band is truly a living symbol of ‘Esprit de Corps’.

Today, the Parris Island Marine Band is comprised of fifty enlisted instrumentalists and one Band Officer, performs hundreds of commitments each year across a variety of ensembles. The different ensembles within the band include but are not limited to a Concert Band, Marching/Ceremonial Band, Quintets, and Jazz Combo. The Parris Island Marine Band’s primary mission is to inspire audiences through superior musical excellence as direct representatives of the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region. We will exemplify the Marine Corps values and characteristics which serve as hallmarks of the most elite fighting force in the entire world. The Marines of the Parris Island Marine band will continuously sustain a successful culture rich in discipline, professionalism, balanced excellence, and compassion for each other.

The culmination of military pride and efficiency, along with precise musical expertise, is what defines United States Marine Music Program apart from any other military unit. The Parris Island Marine Band is dedicated to upholding and displaying the high standards and traditions established by the United States Marine Corps.

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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.