United States Navy Band

The United States Navy Band is the Navy’s premier musical representative in Washington, D.C. The Navy Band is recognized by many as “The World’s Finest,” and is staffed by some of the nation’s best musicians. Now celebrating more than 84 years of service to America, the Navy Band was officially created in 1925 when President Coolidge signed into law a bill that stated “hereafter the band now stationed at the Navy Yard, known as the Navy Yard Band, shall be designated as the United States Navy Band.”

The Band presents public concerts in the Washington metropolitan area and tours the country annually. Based at the historic Washington Navy Yard, the organization features a Concert/Ceremonial unit and four distinct specialty groups - the Sea Chanters chorus, the Commodores jazz ensemble, the Country Current country-bluegrass group and the Cruisers contemporary music ensemble. These versatile groups perform all styles of music from ceremonial “ruffles and flourishes” to classical, rock, jazz and country selections as well as marches and patriotic favorites.

The Concert/Ceremonial Band is the command’s largest unit, and performs a variety of music from classical orchestral transcriptions to arrangements of current popular favorites, as well as traditional marches, original compositions for wind ensemble and patriotic fare. Internationally, the band has appeared at military tattoos and festivals in Oslo, Stockholm and Quebec City. It also performed in 1996 at the 300th Anniversary of the Russian Fleet in St. Petersburg and at The Baltic International Festival of the Fleets in Kaliningrad, Russia. The Navy Band is at the forefront of music education, sponsoring the International Saxophone Symposium and the Music in the Schools program for elementary and secondary schools. In addition, the band is in constant demand by the nation’s foremost musical education organizations, such as the American Bandmasters Association and The Midwest Clinic - An International Band and Orchestra Conference.

The Ceremonial Band performs at official military ceremonies and special events. The group performs at memorial services in Arlington National Cemetery, and presents honors for visiting dignitaries at White House and Pentagon ceremonies. Depending upon performance requirements, the unit is staffed with 15 to 99 pieces. Musicians rotate ceremonial responsibilities with concert performances to support more than 1,300 official ceremonies annually.

The Sea Chanters, the Navy’s official chorus, perform a variety of music ranging from traditional choral music, including the sea chantey to Broadway musical numbers. The 18-voice chorus appears throughout the United States and often performs at the White House, Vice President’s house and for Washington dignitaries.

The Commodores offer the finest in America’s truly original music. The group features 18 of the Navy’s top jazz and big band musicians. The Commodores combine the best of jazz and popular music. Many of the members compose and arrange music for the group in styles ranging from the authentic sounds of the swing era to contemporary music.

Country Current is the Navy’s premier country music group. The seven-member group was formed in 1973 and quickly established itself in all aspects of country and bluegrass music. They have appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, TNN’s “Nashville Now,” the Wheeling Jamboree and the Academy of Country Music Awards show. They are in constant demand at the most prominent country and bluegrass music festivals.

The Cruisers is the Navy Band’s newest specialty unit. The group features seven of the Navy’s most dynamic performers. The group takes its name from the Navy’s versatile, multi-mission ship - Cruiser, and is ready to live up to its namesake by performing a variety of music ranging from classic rock, rhythm and blues, and today’s top 40 hits.

The Navy Band continues a proud tradition of professionalism and service long associated with the United States Navy. The Navy Band occupies a position of national prominence as both a service tradition and a distinguished musical organization.

For more information go to: http: //www.navyband.navy.mil/, or call the Navy Band’s Public Affairs Office at: (202) 433-4777.