Marine Band San Diego

1400 Russell Avenue, San Diego, CA 92140

Founded in 1921, Marine Band San Diego has thrilled countless thousands by averaging nearly four hundred commitment a year.

The primary mission of Marine Band San Diego is to support the Recruit Training Regiment and other depot organizations.

Additionally, the band performs a wide variety of music at military ceremonies and civilian events throughout San Diego County and the southwestern United States.

For nearly a century, Marine Band San Diego has thrilled countless thousands throughout the country with its inspiring renditions of patriotic music, classical literature, Big Band and Top 40 favorites, and of course, the marches of John Philip Sousa.

The primary mission of Marine Band San Diego is to provide musical support for military and civic ceremonies. In addition, the fifty Marines of the band perform in several different ensembles: concert band, marching band, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, jazz combo, rock band, and brass band.

In order to encourage music education and showcase the vibrant history and tradition of military music, the band is active in providing clinics and concerts for high school and college students throughout the western United States; serving as musical role models for developing musicians.

Among the band’s most popular performances are the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Holiday Bowl Parade, and annual summer and winter concerts. The band also appears regularly at various professional sporting events such as San Diego Padres and Arizona Cardinals home games. Recent appearances include performances at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Lincoln Center in New York City, The Hollywood Christmas Parade, and the Tournament of Roses Parade. For the past 3 years, Marine Band San Diego has been selected to perform during Marine Week in Phoenix, Arizona, Nashville, Tennessee, and Detroit, Michigan. Altogether, the band performs over 350 appearances each year. To learn more about the band, and for more information about the band’s upcoming appearances, we encourage you to follow Marine Band San Diego on Facebook.

Marine Band San Diego is under the leadership of Warrant Officer Alex Panos, Band Officer; and Master Sergeant Robert Marroquín, Bandmaster.

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:

1. Request should be submitted to the appropriate unit not less then 30 or more than 90 days in advance of a schedule program.
2. All Armed Forces units have specific military missions and training requirements, which may take priority over your event.
3. In all cases, operational commitments must take priority and can cause previously scheduled appearances to be canceled.

4. 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

5. 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.

Concert Band

The Concert Band consists of fifty Marines and is the largest performing ensemble within Marine Band San Diego.  Our repertoire includes military marches, orchestral transcriptions, and works composed specifically for wind ensemble.  Concert Band performances often feature solo instrumentalists with band accompaniment or performances by one or more of the Marine Band San Diego Small Ensembles.  Marine Band San Diego’s annual concerts are highlighted by its winter and summer concert series aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and throughout Southern California.

Ceremonial Band

Comprised of 30-40 Marines, the Ceremonial Band performs for military and civilian ceremonies, parades, and traditional patriotic events.  The ensemble plays a wide variety of music to include such world-renowned composers as Alford, Fillmore, Goldman, and of course the “March King” himself, John Phillip Sousa.  As Marine Band San Diego’s most active ensemble, they can be seen annually at the Tournament of Roses Parade, throughout southern California at many events, and local San Diego Padres home games.

Brass Quintet (Small Ensembles)

The Brass Quintet’s versatility and professionalism enables it to perform in many venues,      including schools, banquets, military ceremonies, and formal concerts.  The Brass Quintet      has an extensive repertoire, including standard classical literature, Dixieland favorites, and    contemporary hits.

Woodwind Quintet

The Woodwind Quintet is an intimate chamber ensemble that performs at various settings      including schools, receptions, military ceremonies, and concerts. The Woodwind Quintet        performs a wide range of repertoire including standard classical standard literature, film          music, and contemporary hits.

“Sound Strike”

Sound Strike is a fresh take on the traditional military band setting with a wide range of contemporary music spanning from classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, to current popular acts such as Adele and Bruno Mars. This highly entertaining group has performed at professional sports events, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Lincoln Center, and educational outreach concerts around the country.

“Double Time Brass Band”

The Double Time Brass Band is a New Orleans style brass band that is sure to get anyone on their feet. With all the music being arranged by the members of the ensemble, this group brings a taste of the “Big Easy” to any crowd with its traditional New Orleans brass music all the way to the hip, top 40 music heard around the world today.

Jazz Combo

The Jazz Combo performs at receptions, military ceremonies, and schools throughout the country. The members of the combo play music from all eras of recorded jazz from standards to original compositions as well as contemporary pieces. The jazz combo also provides master classes and clinics at high schools and colleges.