The United States Army Field Band The United States Army Field Band of Washington , D . C . is a touring musical organization of the United States Army . Each year , the Army Field Band performs more than 400 concerts and makes thousands of appearances before audiences of all ages . From America ' s largest cities to her smallest heartland communities , " The Musical Ambassadors of the Army " tell the story of the Army . The soldier - musicians of The U . S . Army Field Band have appeared live , on the radio , and on television in all 50 states , and have performed in 25 foreign countries on four continents . They are the most traveled musical organization of the United States military . Stationed at Ft . Meade , MD , the Army Field Band consists of four performing components : The Concert Band , The Soldiers ' Chorus , the Jazz Ambassadors , and The Volunteers . The Army Field Band ' s operations component works in garrison at Ft . Meade and organizes all tours . Every four years , the Army Field Band is charged with the special responsibility of leading the first element of the Presidential Inaugural Parade . The Kennedy Center Honors , the 1995 Presidential Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of V - J Day , the 40th Anniversary of D - Day in Normandy , the National Memorial Day Concert , the state funerals of Presidents Reagan and Ford , and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games are some examples of high - profile appearances by the Army Field Band . However , the Army Field Band ' s day - to - day mission is to represent the United States Army by performing concerts across America , from the most prestigious of concert halls to the humblest of schools . Beginnings . During World War II , musical groups crisscrossed the United States , performing concerts and shows that helped to raise money for the war effort . The USO show s , made famous through their connection with Hollywood greats like Bob Hope , did much to keep Americans aware of the sacrifices made by the nation ' s servicemen and women overseas . After his tour in the Pacific Theater , Chief Warrant Officer Chester E . Whiting became the first commander of the First Combat Infantry Band , a unique group made up entirely of combat veterans . The band traveled the country and presented concerts very much like those given by the USO — shows full of a wide variety of classical and popular music . Admission to a typical First Combat Infantry Band concert was gained by buying a War Bond . The band raised over a million dollars for the war effort , earning the nickname " The Million Dollar Band . " Lieutenant General Jacob L . Devers , Commanding General of U . S . Army Ground Forces , recognized the great success of shows like those produced by the USO and the First Combat Infantry Band . He believed that a band made up of active duty Soldiers would be a valuable asset to the Army ' s public relations mission , and that a band made up entirely of combat veterans would make a dynamic impact on American audiences . In 1946 , the United States Armed Forces were in the midst of the largest military drawdown in modern history . Millions of servicemen and women returned stateside to resume their civilian lives and the military ' s numbers decreased dramatically . General Devers foresaw the need to maintain a relationship between the Army and the American people . An important part of this effort was the First Combat Infantry Band . General Devers ' message of March 21 , 1946 to Chief Warrant Officer Whiting was brief but profound , articulating the principal mission of The U . S . Army Field Band in words that continue to be used today : " I want you to organize a band that will carry into the grassroots of our country the story of our magnificent Army , its glorious traditions and achievements , and of that great symbol of American manhood : the Ground Soldier . " The band ' s members had to pass a rigorous audition . The nucleus of the organization consisted of musicians from the original First Combat Infantry Band , greatly streamlining the process of forming the new unit . The new band existed under the umbrella of U . S . Army Ground Forces , and was renamed The Army Ground Forces Band . In the spring of 1950 , as the Army Ground Forces were re - titled " U . S . Army Field Forces , " the band assumed a new name — The United States Army Field Band — that it keeps to this day . A variety of styles . Since its inception in 1946 , The U . S . Army Field Band has grown from one main performing ensemble — the Concert Band — to branch out into many other genres , evolving into four separate performing components . The Soldiers ' Chorus had its origins in the early days of the Concert Band , when Concert Band members would gather in front of the band during shows and serenade the audience . They featured glee club - style choral arrangements of traditional and popular songs . In 1957 , the unit began to audition vocalists specifically for the Chorus . Field Band history was made in 1974 when the unit ' s first full - time female soldier - musicians enlisted to join the ranks of the Soldiers ' Chorus . Today , this SATB chorus still tours and performs alongside the Concert Band , but also appears with other musical organizations outside of the Army Field Band , as well as performing independently . The Army Field Band performed swing and jazz standards from the very beginning ; in the early 1960s , the early stages of a permanent big band began to take shape . The Satin Brass and Studio Band were the first big band component , which performed separately from the Concert Band . In 1969 , the Studio Band was recognized as a full - fledged performing component , and was later named the Jazz Ambassadors . Sometimes called " America ' s Big Band , " it has since established itself as one of the finest big bands in the world , performing at the most prestigious jazz festivals and appearing with the biggest names in the genre . In 1981 , " The Musical Ambassadors of the Army " once again found a new audience with the forming of The Volunteers . A six - member band , The Volunteers focuses on contemporary popular music , including ( but not limited to ) rock , pop , country , R & B , and patriotic favorites . Arguably the most versatile of the Army Field Band ' s performing components , The Volunteers can be heard at rock festivals , country festivals , sporting events , veteran ' s hospitals , high schools , and more . Reaching out and touching America — live , recorded , and on the web . In addition to their performing schedule , The United States Army Field Band produces albums and videos each year , including the long - standing Legacy recording series and the Army Field Band Instructional Video Series . Although the Army Field Band cannot freely distribute its materials to the general public , it does offer recordings and other educational resources free of charge to libraries , schools , and educators nationwide . In the near future , all of the Army Field Band ' s recordings will be made available for free download . Information on the Field Band ' s educational outreach program , their performance schedule , and more can be found at . Commanders . COL Timothy J . Holtan 2011 – present COL Thomas H . Palmatier 2007 - 2011 COL Finley R . Hamilton 1999 - 2007 COL Jack Grogan 1991 - 1999 COL William E . Clark 1979 - 1991 MAJ Samuel J . Fricano 1974 - 1979 LTC Hal J . Gibson 1968 - 1974 LTC Wilmont M . Trumbull 1966 - 1968 LTC Robert L . Bierly 1960 - 1966 LTC Chester E . Whiting 1946 - 1960 Musicians , former / active . Steve Gadd ( 1968 – 1971 ) Sources . Clark , William E . " The History of The U . S . Army Field Band . " PhD diss . , University of South Carolina , 2002 . Whiting , Chester E . " The Baton and the Pendulum " . Clearfield , PA : Kurtz Brothers , 1963 . The United States Army Field Band . " Our History . " The United States Army Field Band . http : / / www . armyfieldband . com / pages / home / history . html