U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve Band

MARFORRES LOGO WITH TRANSPARENT BACKGROUND
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve
New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Performance Request Process
 
Please send requests to: 

MFR.BAND@usmc.mil 


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. 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.

    Please send requests to: MFR.BAND@USMC.MIL                                                                                   FORM TEST
     
     
Click any column header to sort table data.
DateTimeEvent NameLocationDetailsWebsite
9/13/20258:00 AM9/11 Heros RunAudubon ParkCeremonial Band PerformanceWebsite
mission

Our mission is to support Marine Forces Reserve by providing a professional quality product at military and civilian events, and training as a security platoon for our combat mission.


history

Since November 10, 1775, precision and adaptability have been hallmarks of Marine Corps units. The Marine Forces Reserve Band is no different. The Band is dedicated to excellence and commitment to providing America with a glimpse of Marine Corps’ proficiency and versatility.

The Marine Forces Reserve Band was established October 1, 1978. Under the operational control of the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces South, the Band is comprised of 51 active duty Marines stationed aboard the Marine Corps Support Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Band supports the Marine Forces Reserve Major Subordinate Commands: Fourth Marine Logistics Group, Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Fourth Marine Division, and Force Headquarters Group as well as Marine Corps Recruiting Command initiatives and national community relation programs.
The Marine Forces Reserve Band travels throughout the United States, performing for millions of people at more than 300 events annually. Previously supported events/locations including Super Bowl XLVII (New Orleans, Louisiana), Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri), Fleet Week New York (New York City, New York), Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade and Enshrinement Ceremony (Canton, Ohio), Country Music Awards Festival (Nashville, Tennessee), Texas State Fair (Dallas, Texas), Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Houston, Texas), and Fiesta Days Celebration (San Antonio, Texas). The Band has also performed abroad in Brazil, Canada, Italy, and Switzerland.
The Marine Forces Reserve Band is proud to be located in the historic and culturally rich city of New Orleans where we perform year-round in a variety of local events including the world-famous Carnival and Mardi Gras parades, and when we travel throughout the country we take every opportunity to share the spirit of the Big Easy with our audiences.
“Laissez les bon temps rouler!” (Let the Good times Roll!) and “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful).


 
          
 
 

EVENT PROGRAM

VENUES MAY POST THIS QR CODE ON MONITORS FOR ATTENDEES TO ACCESS SONG SELECTIONS AND INFORMATION ABOUT MFR BAND.

PORTRAIT 

Vertical Display Monitors

          

LANDSCAPE

HORIZONTAL DISPLAY MONITORS



                              
SEARCH MFR BAND CONTENT AT DVIDS

Leadership & Staff

Portrait of Director
Director
Captain Alexander J. Panos

Captain Alex Panos currently serves as Director, Marine Forces Reserve Band. In this capacity he serves as the officer in charge and 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 Enlisted Bandleader
Enlisted Bandleader
Master Sergeant Matthew R. Phagan

Master Sgt. Matthew Phagan serves as the Enlisted Bandleader and Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Marine Forces Reserve Band. He oversees all training, operations, and administrative functions, while also advising the Director on musical development. As the Staff Noncomissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC), he is the primary contact for performance requests and inquiries.

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Portrait of Drum Major
Drum Major
Staff Sergeant Christopher L. Miller

Staff Sgt. Christopher Miller currently serves as the Drum Major of the Marine Forces Reserve 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. Staff Sgt. Christopher Miller also manages the band’s administration and operations sections.

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Portrait of Enlisted Conductor
Enlisted Conductor
Staff Sergeant Joseph E. Tutor

Staff Sgt. Joseph Tutor currently serves as the Enlisted Conductor of the Marine Forces Reserve 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. Staff Sgt. Joseph Tutor 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
Gunnery Sergeant Kyle A. Elliott

Gunnery Sgt. Kyle Elliott currently serves as the Instrument Repair Technician of the Marine Forces Reserve Band. In this capacity he inspects, maintains, and repairs musical equipment. Gunnery Sgt. Kyle Elliott also manages the band’s supply, safety, and fiscal sections.

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Portrait of Production Manager
Production Manager
Gunnery Sergeant Ted D. McElwee

Gunnery Sgt. Ted McElwee currently serves as the Production Manager of the Marine Forces Reserve Band. In this capacity he is the chief sound engineer, responsible for the recording and sound reinforcement of the band. Gunnery Sgt. Ted McElwee also serves as the band’s digital marketing and communication lead.

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Email

MFR.band@usmc.mil

Phone

Commercial: (504) 220-8174

 

Mailing AddresS

Marine Forces Reserve Band
2000 Opelousas Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70114

      




               
 
 

01

Marine Day at the Alamo

U.S. Marine Corps musicians from Marine Forces Reserve Band perform during Marine Day at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, April 30, 2025. Marine Day...

02

U.S. Marine Forces Reserve Band

Marine Forces Reserve Band is stationed at Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans, LA. The band provides ceremonial music support for Marine...

03

Panama Tour: Marine Forces South.

The Marine Forces Reserve Band and the National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) of Panama Band pose for a group photo after a performance at the Colón Art...

04

Legion of Mars Parade

U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Justin Hauser, drum major with the Marine Forces Reserve Band, marches during the Legion of Mars parade, New Orleans,...

05

Musician of the Year

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Morgan Poland, flute instrumentalist, poses for a portrait after earning the title, Marine Musician of the Year, Marine Corps...

06

Super Bowl LIX Parade

The Marine Forces Reserve Band marches through the city during the Super Bowl LIX parade, New Orleans, Feb. 8, 2025. The Marine Corps is the lead...

07

Marine Forces Reserve Band Spreads Christmas Cheer

U.S. Marines assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve Band spread Christmas cheer throughout Louisiana from December 7-11, 2024. This Christmas Series...

08

UNITAS 24: MFR Band performs in Valparaiso, Chile.

The U.S. Marine Forces Reserve Band had the opportunity to perform at the Museo Naval Y Maritimo in Valparaiso, Chile, as part of UNITAS 2024. UNITAS...

09

Bandmembers Train for Combat Readiness

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans, participate in a common skills field exercise at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, April...

10

Independence Day Concert

U.S. Marine Corps SSgt. Daniel Paxton, tuba instrumentalist, Marine Forces Reserve Band, conducts the concert band at the Happy 3rd of July, City...