United States Coast Guard Band
U.S. Coast Guard Band | |
---|---|
CWO Jeffrey A. Spenner[1] | |
Drum Major | MUCS Brian Nichols[1] |
Conductor Laureate | CAPT Lewis J. Buckley (ret.)[1] |
Insignia | |
Emblem | |
Service Identification Badge |
The United States Coast Guard Band is the
As of 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard Band is the Coast Guard's only professional musical ensemble (a second branch band, the
History
Founding and early years
In March 1925, the Coast Guard Band was organized with the assistance of Lt. Charles Benter, leader of the
World War II
An influx of new personnel into the Coast Guard during
In addition to the Coast Guard SPAR Band, bands were activated in many Coast Guard districts for the duration of hostilities. The 11th District Band enlisted Rudy Vallée as its bandmaster (during World War I Vallee had served in the U.S. Navy for three months before being expelled after it was discovered he was 15 years old). Like the SPAR Band, the district bands were phased out after the end of the war, the Coast Guard Band returning to its status as the service's sole musical unit.[7][8]
Post-war
In 1965 the Coast Guard Band was chartered by Congress as the official band of the entire service and was given parity with other U.S. military "premier ensembles".[3] In 1976, and again in 1981, the Coast Guard proposed moving the band to Washington, D.C. Petition drives by citizens of Connecticut prevented the moves.[9]
Lewis J. Buckley assumed command of the Coast Guard Band in 1975 as the group's fifth director. Leading the band for 29 years, until 2004, Buckley retired as the longest-serving conductor of a major military service band in American history.[10]
Modern era
In 1989 the Coast Guard Band became the first U.S. military band to perform in the Soviet Union and, in 2016 the Coast Guard Band performed at the debut of "
In late 2015 the Coast Guard began another study about the feasibility of relocating the band from its traditional station in New London, Connecticut to Washington, DC. The proposal to relocate the band has been opposed by
After the creation of the
Organization
Almost all personnel of the Coast Guard Band are assigned to the ceremonial and concert bands, the group's primary performance units. The band, however, maintains several chamber music groups to provide specialized performance capabilities to which some personnel are co-assigned. This includes a
According to the Coast Guard, competition for its limited vacancies is fierce, and many new Coast Guardsmen enlisting as musicians are conservatory-trained with degrees from elite institutions including
Operationally located at Leamy Hall at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the band has billets for 54 instrumentalists and command staff, and one vocalist. Its vocalist billet has traditionally been filled by a female singer.[1][9][18]
Uniforms and equipment
In addition to regular Coast Guard uniforms, the Coast Guard Band is authorized wear of special ceremonial dress consisting of navy blouses with banded collars and shoulder boards, and a multi-colored aiguillette. A second distinctive uniform, the "concert ceremonial dress uniform," is patterned in white with blue highlights such as shoulder boards and cuffs.[19]
Music
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Semper Paratus, performed by the Coast Guard Band.
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Vasily Agapkin's Farewell of Slavianka, performed by the Coast Guard Band.
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Lewis J. Buckley's The Tall Ship Eagle, performed by the Coast Guard Band.
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Herbert L. Clarke's The Bride of the Waves, performed by the Coast Guard Band. Euphonium Soloist David Werden.
Selected discography
- Blue & Gray Songs of the Civil War 2003 by The United States Coast Guard Band
See also
- United States military bands
- U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard
- U.S. Coast Guard Pipe Band
References
- ^ U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Coast Guard Band Will Be Featured Here on Tuesday". Ludington Daily News. 31 July 1981. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ISBN 1596290781.
- S2CID 140813809.
- ISBN 978-0810881631.
- ISBN 978-0786453719.
- ^ "Rudy Vallee Joins Cal Coast Guard". Lewiston Daily Sun. 18 August 1942. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b c "Relocation of Coast Guard Band Out of New London Still Under Review". military.com. 6 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ "Coast Guard Band Goes Hollywood". WBUR-FM. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ Hardman, Ray (5 November 2015). "U.S. Coast Guard Might Move Its Band From New London to Washington, D.C." WNPR-FM. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, "Space Force reveals official song: "Semper Supra"," Space Force News, September 20, 2022 Accessed 22 September 2022
- ^ a b c d Kaufman, Ellie, "Space Force releases official song 'Semper Supra'," cnn.com, September 20, 2022 Accessed 22 September 2022
- ^ Brodeur, Michael Andor, "With new official anthem, the Space Force hopes to land on your radar," washingtonpost.com, September 20, 2022 Accessed 22 September 2022
- U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ "Careers". U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ Uniform Regulations M1020.6H. U.S. Coast Guard. April 2013.