An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marines

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band’s mission is to perform for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, the Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. On March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson became the first to be sworn in as President in Washington, D.C., and it is believed that the Marine Band was present for this event. The Marine Band is the only musical unit to participate in all three components of the Presidential Inauguration: the swearing-in ceremony, the inaugural parade, and an inaugural ball. During the ceremony, the band is positioned directly below the presidential podium at the U.S. Capitol. Below is an outline of the schedule of events.

10 a.m. Perform pre-ceremony music on U.S. Capitol platform. Click here for the prelude program.

11:30 a.m. Commencement of formal program. Click here for the ceremony program. 
Call to Order
Welcoming Remarks
Invocation
Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Mike Pence
Four Ruffles and Flourishes by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
“Hail Columbia” by the U.S. Marine Band 
"America, the Beautiful" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the U.S. Marine Band

11:50 a.m. Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Donald Trump
Four Ruffles and Flourishes by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
“Hail to the Chief” by the U.S. Marine Band
Inaugural Address
Benediction
The National Anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the U.S. Marine Band and Jackie Evancho 

3 p.m. Inaugural Parade on Pennsylvania Avenue
(U.S. Marine Band leads the Second Division) 

7 p.m. Commencement of Inaugural Ball Circuit

For more than a century “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band has honored Presidents with ‘Hail to the Chief,” music indelibly associated with America’s Commander-in-Chief. Used to herald the arrival of the President, this piece is performed at the ceremony twice. Since “Hail to the Chief” is only played for a sitting president, it will performed twice. First it will be performed to announce the arrival of President Barack Obama and later in the ceremony, it will be played again to honor newly inaugurated President-elect Donald Trump immediately after he takes the oath of office.

More info
Download
Visit the Marine Band's Hall of Presidents

"The President's Own" has more than 100 members participating in various aspects of the Presidential Inauguration. To arrange an interview or to obtain photos video, or audio, contact the Marine Band Public Affairs Office at 202-433-5809 or marineband.publicaffairs@usmc.mil.  To view our Media section, click here.

The Marine Band will host two media days at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C. Media will have the opportunity to observe rehearsals and conduct interviews. 
January 17, 9-11 a.m., John Philip Sousa Band Hall (Inauguration Ceremony Music Rehearsal) 
January 18, 10-11 a.m., Annex Field (Parade Rehearsal) 

To RSVP for either Media Day, click here. RSVP required for security purposes. 

Directions to the Marine Barrack Annex at 7th and K Streets, SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
GPS: 1053 7th Street, SE, Washington DC 20003
Parking will be available in the lot under the overpass on 7th Street.

Need assistance? Call 202-433-5809.

The Marine Band and Marines from Marine Barracks Washington lead the second division on the Inaugural Parade. The Marine Band Drum Major leads the 99-piece band and will use a mace to provide concise commands throughout the inaugural parade to include signals to start and stop music,“forward march,” “mark time,” “halt,” and left or right turn. The 35-inch mace weighs 3.5 pounds and is adorned with a double braided gold chain. It is built of Malacca cane with a gold plated ball and a gold plated ferrule. The ball is engraved with the unit’s title as well as the major battles and campaigns of the United States Marine Corps. It is also topped by a fiberglass gold painted replica of the National Capitol Dome. On the bottom half of the ball are the United States and Marine Corps emblems. During the parade, the Marine Band will play:

“Semper Fidelis” by John Philip Sousa 
(Official march of the Marine Corps) 
More Info
Download

"The Thunderer" by John Philip Sousa
More Info
Download

The Marines' Hymn
More Info
Download