The President’s Own Band

 

When President Adams signed the Act of Congress on July 11, 1798 reestablishing the Marine Corps, it also authorized “a drum major, a fife major, and 32 drums and fifes.” A $10 bounty was given to obtain hard-to-find musicians with an additional $300 anted up by Marine officers. The Band was primarily used for recruiting flourishment with the uniform to be of reverse colors—red uniforms with blue facings.

The first band’s leader was William Farr and they played at the Fourth of July celebration organized by the Society of Cincinnati—a veterans’ club composed of American Revolutionary War officers. By 1800, Farr added oboes, clarinets, French horns, and bassoons to the ensemble that played on New Year’s Day.

Because President Jefferson loved music, he became the mentor of the Marine Band, enlarged it, and it became known as “The President’s Own Band.” They played at his inauguration and have continued that tradition to this day. They also continue to play each New Year’s Day and on Independence Day in Washington.

As part of the enlargement of the band, the Marines based in Italy during the Tripoli fight were ordered to enlist Italian musicians in 1803.16 Italians and their families were imported into the Corps to play. Their wives got $8 each in bounty to coerce them into leaving, in addition to the husband’s bounty. Gaetano Carusi and his sons Samuel and Iznazio led the group that signed a three-year contract that ended up lasting only a year and a half.

One enlistee, Venerando Pulizzi, rejoined and stayed with the band for 21 years and eventually was leader of the band until 1827. Members of the band took part in the battle of Bladensburg and helped save Marine records during the burning of Washington.

In 1841, “Hail to the Chief” became the official tune when the President made an appearance. In July 1861, President Lincoln signed legislation which officially recognized the Marine Band by law. Lincoln’s all-time favorite tune was “Dixie.” Lincoln rode with the Marine Band on the train to Gettysburg for the dedication of the National Cemetery in 1863.

The band’s most famous prolific director, John Phillip Sousa, of Portuguese ancestry, composed the march “Semper Fidelis” in 1888, dedicated to the Marine Corps. In 1987, President Reagan signed legislation making Sousa’s, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” our official national march. After two hundred years, the band evolved into a world-class symphonic icon.