Quantico Marine Band

Quantico Marine Corps Band Unit Logo
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Quantico, Virginia

 

01

Ceremonial Band Marches at Flag Day

The Quantico Marine Band marches during the Memorial Day parade in the City of Falls Church, Virginia, May 26, 2025. The City of Falls Church...

02

Virginia International Tattoo 2025

U.S. Marines with the Quantico Marine Band perform at the Scope Arena, Norfolk,Virginia, April 24, 2025. The Virginia Arts Festival hosts the 28th...

03

Brass Band and Baseball

U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band, perform in front of a crowd during the opening of the Fredericksburg Nationals at the Virginia...

04

Courtside Anthem

USMC Vocalist Sgt Shelby Petersen Performs the National Anthem at Capitol One Arena.

05

Brass Band at the 49th Marine Corps Marathon Expo

U.S. Marines with the Quantico Marine Corps Band perform during the 49th Marine Corps Marathon Health & Fitness Expo opening ceremony at the Gaylord...

06

Boston St Patrick's Day Parade 2024

Ssgt Devalder leads the Ceremonial Band at one of the largest parades in the Nation. The spirit of both history and adopted community runs high...

 


Military Request Form

Civilian Request Form


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
  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.
Performance Request Process

Start your request for musical support by choosing the appropriate request form below.  Please send your completed request form to the Quantico Band email: SMB_Quantico_Band@usmc.mil

Once your request has been received, please allow up to 10 business days for processing. A representative from the band will reach out to you once a decision has been made in order to coordinate support or outline next steps.
 


Military Request Form

Civilian Request Form

 

AUGust

Aug 20-25 - Boston Navy and Marine Week (Boston, MA) 

September

Sep 25 - 1800 - MCEA 33rd Annual Awards Banquet (Triangle, VA)

Sep 26 - 1815 - HCC Alumni Association 2025 Red, White, and Blue Summer Concert Series (Hagerstown, MD)

 

 

SMB_Quantico_Band@usmc.mil

Mailing Address: 

Quantico Marine Band                       
3090 Roan St.                                                   
Quantico, VA 22134

PHONE: 

Commercial: (703)784 -2939 /2466
DSN:  278-2939 / 2466     
                                                                    

The band’s mission is to provide musical support that will encourage community relations, enhance troop morale, and promote the Marine Corps recruiting program through its demanding performance schedule. As well as musical support, the members of the band also fulfill their duties as Marine Riflemen. 

Established in 1918, the Quantico Marine Corps Band is one of the oldest professional musical ensembles in the Marine Corps. The band is comprised of a ceremonial band and concert band equipped to provide musical support as directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region-MCB Quantico.

In addition, the band maintains a number of small ensembles, including a brass quintet, woodwind quintet, rock/show band, Dixie-land band, and jazz combo. With an authorized strength of one officer and 50 enlisted Marines, the band has performed at many recognized civilian events; including the Super Bowl XLI Pregame Show, the 9/11 Memorials at Carnegie Hall and the Town Arts Theatre, Times Square, the Macy’s Thanksgiving and Columbus Day Parades in New York City, numerous consecutive appearances at The Virginia International Tattoo, and the Opening Ceremony for the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The band has also performed at the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center overlooking Ground Zero.

As well as musical support, the members of the band also fulfill their duties as Marine Riflemen. In support of the War in Iraq, 17 members of the band were attached to Task Force National Capitol Region and deployed conducting combat operations. These Marines returned to the band in June 2008.

The Quantico Marine Corps Band has received numerous military and civilian citations, letters of commendation and letters of appreciation. The group entertains audiences performing classic to contemporary pieces at more than 350 performances annually across the Eastern Seaboard, covering more than 50,000 miles.

Leadership & Staff

Portrait of Director
Director
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Andres G. Navarro

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Andres Navarro currently serves as Director of the Quantico Marine Band. In this capacity he serves as the officer in charge and principal conductor. He manages, administers, and coordinates musical performances, develops budgets and annual operation plans, directs internal operations and training, and supervises the employment of a Marine Corps Fleet Band.

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Portrait of Drum Major
Drum Major
Gunnery Sergeant William I. Fariss

Gunnery Sgt. William Fariss currently serves as the Drum Major of the Quantico Marine Band. In this capacity he directs, trains, and manages the musical performance of the Ceremonial Band while on the march and instructs band personnel in drill specific to Marine Bands. Gunnery Sgt. William Fariss also manages the band’s administration and operations sections.

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Portrait of Enlisted Conductor
Enlisted Conductor
Gunnery Sergeant Eric J. Potter

Gunnery Sgt. Eric Potter currently serves as the Enlisted Conductor of the Quantico Marine Band. In this capacity he assists the Director in the musical development of the band and directs, trains, and manages the musical performances of the full band. Gunnery Sgt. Eric Potter supervises the management and development of the band’s various small ensembles and manages the Music Library and historical records of the band.

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Portrait of Instrument Repair Technician
Instrument Repair Technician
Staff Sergeant Benjamin E. Callihan

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Callihan currently serves as the Instrument Repair Technician of the Quantico Marine Band. In this capacity he inspects, maintains, and repairs musical equipment. Staff Sgt. Benjamin Callihan also manages the band’s supply, safety, and fiscal sections.

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Portrait of Production Manager
Production Manager
Master Sergeant William J. Pierce

Master Sgt. William Pierce currently serves as the Production Manager of the Quantico Marine Band. In this capacity he is the chief sound engineer, responsible for the recording and sound reinforcement of the band. Master Sgt. William Pierce also serves as the band’s digital marketing and communication lead.

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