Before requesting a preformance by Marine Band San Diego, please read and understand the sponsor responsibilites (link below).
The Bandmaster, is the point of contact for all questions concerning the scheduling of the band. The Bandmaster can be reached at 619-524-1754.
Scroll down to find information for Civilian Reqeusts, Military Requests and Sponsor Responsibilities.
Civilian Requests
To request All members of Marine Band San Diego, please complete the Department of Defense Form 2536 Armed Forces Participation Request Form (requires Adobe Acrabat Reader) and send the request form to:
Marine Band San Diego
1400 Russell Ave
San Diego, CA 92140
Fax: 619-524-0739
To request any of the 12 Marine Corps Band, send the request form to:
Headquarters, U.S Marine Corps
Attn: Band Coordinator
2 Navy Annex (PAC)
Washington, DC 20380-1775
Fax: 703-614-2358
Military Requests
Please mail or fax a written request letter to Marine Band San Diego. Click HERE for request letter template.
Request for events aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego may be submitted directly to G3.
Guidance regarding request:
- Request should be submitted to the appropriate unit not less then 30 or more than 90 days in advance of a schedule program.
- All Armed Forces units have specific military missions and training requirements, which may take priority over your event.
- In all cases, operational commitments must take priority and can cause previously scheduled appearances to be canceled.
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Department of Defense policies require that Armed Forces participation in public events will be provided at no additional cost to the Government. The sponsor is required to provide quarters and meals or, when necessary, the standard Military Services allowance for quarters and meals for all Armed Forces participants and for other services, which have been determined in advance by the Military Services and agreed to be the sponsor
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All costs are binding after a unit, personnel, or exhibit has arrived at an event site, even though weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances force the event to be canceled.
Sponsor Requirements
The following outlines the responsibilities of the sponsor, as set forth in the Armed Forces Participation in Public Events (DD Form 2536)
TRANSPORTATION:
The United States Government normally provides the transportation to your area at no cost to the sponsor. Events held outside of a 100-mile radius of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego may incur additional transportation costs. On those occasions where ground or air support cannot be provided by the government, the sponsor will be required to finance the transportation of our Marines to your event. Expenses may include vehicle lease, toll charges, meals, and lodging. As transportation dates do not always coincide with event dates, there may be a need to arrive early or depart late.
When the band travels by air, local ground transportation is the responsibility of the sponsor. The band will require transport between the arrival and departure points, performance sites, lodging location, and dining establishments. Minimum requirements for ground transportation* for the Concert Band and Ceremonial Band are:
- One 55-passenger air conditioned coach with underside storage
- One 15-passenger air conditioned van
- One 24-28 foot enclosed, lockable equipment truck with lift
On those occasions where band equipment cannot be loaded onto the aircraft due to weight or size restrictions, the band may require transport of the equipment to the performance site by truck or airfreight. The sponsor will incur all expenses relating to transport of this equipment, to include freight costs, truck rental, fuel, hotel, meals, and tolls.
MEALS:
The sponsor will provide for all meals during the time the band is away from its home station, including meals missed while traveling to and from your area. The sponsor may either provide the meals at a predetermined location or make arrangements ahead of time to pay the federal per diem rate to each member of the band.
Meals will consist of breakfast, lunch, and dinner; two of which must be hot meals. If the sponsor chooses to provide meals in a restaurant, we prefer buffet style dining to ordering from a menu; we have found this to be a cost-effective and time-saving method of feeding our Marines. Meal times must remain flexible do to the band's transportation, rehearsal, and performance schedule. Sponsor responsibilities include meals that must be consumed en route due to time constraints. Meals must be arranged and paid for in advance of the band's arrival.
LODGING:
Billeting must be arranged and paid for prior to the band's arrival in your area. The band normally requires 15 single rooms and 20 double rooms (fewer rooms may be necessary depending upon the size of the performing ensemble). Current policy prohibits the band from accepting housing in private homes or in mass billeting areas, such as gymnasiums or squad bays. Dormitory rooms are acceptable, provided they are comparable to standard hotel rooms. Please refer to the "Suggested Contacts," below, for anidea on involving community support to defray the cost of sponsoring a Marine Band.
Marine Band performances are presented as a public service to the community and must be free of charge and open to the general public. We recommend printing free admission tickets for indoor performances requiring crowd control, with a 25%overprint of the capacity of the concert site. Concert tickets should not be numbered. A request-by-mail system is a most effective method of ticket distribution. This helps to ensure a full house, as individuals who take the time to complete a written request for tickets are most likely to attend the performance. Limiting distribution of tickets may be necessary. Each publicity flyer and newspaper ad should include the mailing address for obtaining tickets. Flyers and tickets will include a statement that patrons must be seated fifteen minutes prior to the performance. At that time, non-ticketed patrons will be seated. No patrons who show up at time with a valid ticket will be turned away.
PROMOTION:
Media promotion will help to maximize the event and encourage audience attendance. The promotion materials contained in the band's Press Package include band biographies, ensemble descriptions, photographs, and press release information suitable for radio and television public service announcements (PSAs). The following outline is recommended to help the sponsor promote a successful campaign. Sponsors are welcome to use all information provided for publicity purposes.
2 weeks prior to concert
- Full-page ad containing band biography and picture, date, time and location of performances, free admission information, and ticket request information.
1 week prior to concert
- PSA, entertainment ad, flyers posted within community, provide coupon for ticket requests.
4 days prior to concert
- PSA, newspaper story, provide coupon for ticket requests (mention location of ticket pick-up).
2-3 days prior of concert
- PSA
1 day prior to concert
- PSA, newspaper story and photo of the band and/or key members.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
These announcements can be sent to radio and other broadcast media outlets for the purpose of advertising Marine Band San Diego performances.
FOR MBSD CONCERT AND CEREMONIAL BANDS:
15 Second Spot
Marine Band San Diego, stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, will be in (city/town) at (location). This exciting program, sponsored by (sponsor), is free and open to the public and will begin at (time).
30 Second Spot
Join Marine Band San Diego for a very special (afternoon/evening) of musical entertainment in (city/town) on (date).
The band hails from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, and promises an exciting, vestal program what will be enjoyed by all ages. The program will be selected from the band's varied repertoire and includes marches, patriotic favorites, pop tunes, and traditional selections for win ensemble.
The performance is free and open to the public and will begin at (time) at (location) on (day/date). For more information, contact (sponsor).
45 Second Spot
Marine Band San Diego, stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, will present a memorable (afternoon/evening) of musical entertainment at (location) on (day/date). The program, sponsored by (sponsor), will begin at (time) and is free and open to the public.
The band will present an exciting program consisting of marches, patriotic favorites, show tunes, jazz, and traditional sections for win ensemble. The concert promises to be an event the entire family will enjoy.
Founded in 1921, Marine Band San Diego performs at over 400 commitments each year throughout Southern California and Marine Corps Western Recruiting Region. They carry on in the tradition of excellence and service that has been the hallmark of the Marine corps since 1775. They are the few, the proud, the Marines!
FOR MBSD SMALL ENSEMBLES:
15 Second Spot
The Marine Band San Diego (small ensemble name), stationed at the Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, will be in (city/town) at (location). The exciting program, sponsored by (sponsor), is free and open to the public and will begin at (time).
30 Second Spot
John the Marine Band San Diego (small ensemble name) for a very special (afternoon/evening) of musical entertainment in (city/town) on (date).
The band hails from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, and promises an exciting, versatile program, which will be selected from the (small ensemble name, poss.) varied repertoire. The performance, which includes music from a variety of genres, is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
The performance is free and open to the public and will begin at (time) at (location) on (day/date). For more information, contact (sponsor).
45 Second Spot
The Marine Band San Diego (small ensemble name), stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, will present a memorable (afternoon/evening) of musical entertainment at (location) on (day/date). The program, sponsored by (sponsor), will begin in (time) and is free and open to the public.
The band hails from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, and promises an exciting, versatile program, which will be selected from the (small ensemble name, poss.) varied repertoire. The performance, which includes music from a variety of genres, is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Founded in 1921, Marine Band San Diego performs over 400 commitments' each year throughout Southern California and the Marine Corps Western Recruiting Region. They carry on in the tradition of excellence and service that has been the hallmark of the Marine Corps since 1775. They are the few, the proud, the Marines!
PERFORMANCE SITES
Performance sites provide by the sponsor will include:
- Auditorium or outdoor band shell for concert band or show band
- Electrical outlets for sound equipment and electronic instruments (three 30-amp circuits or five 20-amp circuits).
- Armless chairs for 44 musicians (if folding chairs are used, we required metal, not plastic)
- Stage area that is at least 40 feet wide and 32 feet deep.
- Water provided backstage for the musicians.
- Changing area that can be locked, with chairs, tables, clothes racks or hooks for clothing bags and uniforms (a
arge room for 40 male Marines, and a small one for 15 female Marines).
- Private room for Band Officer.
- Stage lighting and public address system large enough to reach members of the audience furthest form the stage.
- On-site technician to operate the house lighting and sound system.
Expenses related to the performance site are also the sponsor's responsibility. In order to maintain the continuity of the musical performance, no presentations or speeches should be made during the concert. From beginning to end, the program is designed to provide a unified musical experience.
SUGGESTED CONTACTS:
Past performances have provided the band with information that will help boost community support of your event. We recommend consideration of the following individuals and organizations:
Local Marine Corps Recruiter:
Recruiters are well connected with former server members who may offer assistance. Check your local listings or call 1-800-MARINES.
Marine Corps Musician Technical Assistant (MTA):
MTA's are the placement directors and the auditioning authority for new musicians entering the Marine Corps. They are all members of Marine Bans who are on loan to the recruiting service, and are well versed in the logistics necessary to support a Marine Band performance in your area. They work closely with local middle school, high school, and college music programs and are a good source of information concerning performance sites and different groups who may wish to attend those performances. Local recruiters will have information on contacting the MTA in your region.
VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Eagles, Elks:
Organizations such as these have been extremely supportive to the sponsor in providing advertisement, meals , social gatherings, and transportation for our Marines.
High school and College BAnd Directors:
Music Educators can promote awareness and attendance of performance and encourage civic participation for your event.
Music Stores:
Local vendors are often enthusiastic about promotion of the fine arts. A coordinated effort between the sponsor and business is not only beneficial from, but is a particularly valuable promotion tool for your event due to their many contacts with the community leaders, educators, professional musicians, and students.
Hotels and Restaurants
Many businesses will cooperate by offering discounts to a sponsor dedicated to bring a Marine Band to their community. Donation of meals, hotel rooms, and transportation can significantly reduce the sponsor's financial burden.