Semper Fidelis performed by the Marine Band

The United States Marine Band, 'The President's Own', perform for the annual Sousa Birthday ceremony at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington. In this video, twenty-eight members of the band march into the cemetery, play Semper Fidelis, then march off. As always, the Band demonstrates musical excellence and military precision. Major Jason Fettig is the director and Master Gunnery Sergeant William Browne is the Drum Major.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• semper
• fidelis
• sousa
• marine
• band
• president's
• own

[davevak]

Why is the Drum Major wearing a Bear Skin!?

[vaq33ens]

@davevak It is traditional for the Drum Major. Not sure what the history is but might date back to Scottish pipe bands when everyone wore the bear skin hat. Some British bands still wear them today.

[asianwannabeamerican]

@vaq33ens Every Marine a rifleman. You can't shoot==>you can't be a Marine. Marine first, musician second. That's not just motivation, that's a rule

[davevak]

@giogiolover The Bearskin as worn by the Foot Guards of The Household Division, British, is a 'Battle Honor', gained following The Battle of Waterloo; as so, is worn by all members of those battalions as part of their 'full-dress' uniform. It is not a sign of leadership. The DM here, even though it is tradition is just imitating the dress worn by the Brits.

Who told you the British march Right-Left?

[giogiolover]

@davevak First is because it's a traditional uniform style brought by the British standard of marching. Though we marching left right they would march Righ left. Other clues to this is that the D.M is carring the mace in left carry as would a British D.M always. The sash goes left to right instead of right to left. And the bearskin in British terms was a sign of leadership for D.M's at least. Even the uniforms i'm told reflect British Uniforms.

[ShaggyOtis]

@AdeleInTexas The President's Own is comprised of professional musicians that are actually considered Marines, but their only duty is really just to play music. They dont receive any basic combat training as the other Marines do, because combat is not a part of their job whatsoever. I cant really be sure if the band in the vid is actually the President's Own, but the President's Own does in fact march parades and perform at ceremonial events. (Sousa's birthday, in this case.)

[VJG11]

SEMPER FI, MY BROTHER AND SISTER MARINES.

[chrisg21225]

@17mikezzz The President's Own has no basically trained Marines in it.They are all professional musicains. They are required to have a degree in music, and the audition to get into this band is long and tedious. When I graduated high school in 92 i tried to get accepted. I played as well as the first chair trumpet yet lacked a degree. So I joined the FMF and became a grunt. What years were you in and what was your MOS??? What unit were/are you with?? When is/was your EAD??

[GuyLyddonable]

@davevak All the British Guards Infantry regiments wear them (that's 5 regiments: Coldstream Guards, Grenadier Guards, Scots Guards, Welsh Guard and Irish Guards) Their purpose is that they're too thick to be penetrated by a lance, so you can lower them if your being charged by Lancers or Uhlans. However because of their cost they've always been seen as a symbol of any Elite infantry, and there actual use is dubious, because who has the balls to simply look away if your being charged?

[sherrb1158]

My Daddy is a deceased USMC, Norwood, OH, who enlisted in 42. He boarded a train at 17; he said he was 5'11; he was 5'7 1/2''; he was lying about his age; He fought in the Pacific/ Korean War. Bougainville was Dad's worst nightmare, kept him up at night. Dad's records are reportedly all gone, burned apparently. I just want to find his campaign ribbons. I still have his military ID. Barbara (Nauer) Sherrill; 812 W South St; Alvin, TX 77511

[lawomega1]

Now now ,boys and gals must stop bickering ,I throughly enjoyed watching the whole performance of the band ,and the music was of high standard ,and it was lovely to see the drum major wearing a bearskin . Ofcourse we wear them in our own bands in Britain and other countries in Europe and as you all know our cultures are very similiar ,be proud America because your armed services are superb ,because most of the world are safe because of you!

[MattTheBandKid]

@asianwannabeamerican unless you're in "the president's own" They tecniquily aren't marines. They don't even have basic traning. This band will never go to the field. They are privatly reserved for the president. It's like a regular Symphony Orchestra. These marines aren'y riflemen.

[TheNegan1]

@asianwannabeamerican not to be disrespectful, but this does not apply to the President's Own. You don't even go through basic training to be a part of the President's Own. You just receive the salary, benefits, & uniforms, pretty much, but you get no training. The field bands, however, are a totally different story. Those are the musicians who are Marines first.