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Presidential Inauguration 2025

This page provides information about the Marine Band's participation in the 2025 Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump.

Prelude and Ceremony lineup

“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. 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 for Jan. 20, 2025:

9:30 a.m. Perform pre-ceremony music on U.S. Capitol platform. 

11:15 a.m. Commencement of formal program.
Call to Order
Welcoming Remarks
Invocation
Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance
Four Ruffles and Flourishes by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
“Hail Columbia” by the U.S. Marine Band 

11:45 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 guest artist

*Schedule subject to change

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. "Hail to the Chief" will be played by the Marine Band to honor newly inaugurated President-elect Joe Biden immediately after taking the oath of office.

History of "Hail to the Chief"

"Hail Columbia" is most associated today as honors to the Vice President, but it didn’t officially become so until August 1, 1969. The first time this song was played at an Inauguration Ceremony by the Marine Band was for President James Monroe on March 4, 1821. In the century that followed when the nation was looking for a National Anthem, “Hail Columbia” was actually a leading contender. "Hail Columbia" will be performed immediately after Vice President-elect J.D. Vance takes the oath of office. 

Open Rehearsals for Media

The Marine Band will hold two Inauguration-focused rehearsals open to the media on Tuesday, Jan. 14 (outdoors) and Wednesday, Jan. 15 (indoors). 

The Jan. 14 rehearsal will take place from 1000-1200 at Marine Barracks Washington (Marine Barracks Annex) in Washington, DC.

The Jan. 15 rehearsal takes place from 1300-1500 at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, VA.

Rehearsal 1:
1000-1100 - Full marching band rehearsal
1100-1115 - Break for interviews with Marine Band musicians 
1115-1200 - Full marching band rehearsal continues
*In the event of inclement weather, this rehearsal will be rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16 at 1330.

Rehearsal 2:
1300-1350 - Full concert/platform band rehearsal
1350-1405 - Break for interviews with Marine Band musicians 
1405-1530 - Full concert/platform band rehearsal continues

Please RSVP and a member of the Marine Band Office of Communication will be in touch shortly to confirm logistics and a time slot for you to record/photograph. Interviews with musicians are available before the rehearsal and during breaks. If you have any questions, please call (202) 433-5809 or email marineband.communication@usmc.mil.

To register, click HERE.

Parking is not provided at Marine Barracks Washington. Street parking is available in the vicinity. Click below for directions: 
Marine Barracks Annex: http://www.marineband.marines.mil/Contact-Us/Marine-Barracks-Annex/
NVCC: https://www.nvcc.edu/student-life/arts/schlesinger-center/index.html
Free parking is available in the adjacent parking garage at Northern Virginia Community College, Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center.