Banding Together!The Quantico Marine Band had been a regular performing group for the Nova Scotia International Tattoo since the early 1980's. Literally hundreds of Marine Bandsmen performed in Halifax over the years and it became a coveted assignment to be stationed in Quantico and their experiences were never forgotten. During that period a special affection developed between the citizens of Halifax and the Band resulting in an official proclamation naming the QMB as honorary Nova Scotian's. Not only were they honorary Nova Scotians but they also made life-long friends with the organizers of the Tattoo and countless other people from around the world. Sadly, This relationship ended in 1996 as a result of new policy from the Office of the Secretary of Defense- Public affairs stating that the support of Tattoos were now prohibited. There have been numerous attempts over the years to change the policy from every level that you could imagine but no change was made. Despite the absence of the Marines, the long-standing friendship in Halifax continues to this day. There has been no real American presence in the largest indoor show in North America since.
This past summer in 2009, an opportunity presented itself through a dear friend of Marine Music, Guthrie Woods, to establish and develop a Band of former/retired Marines. Last summer, I was invited to give some Conducting Master Class Sessions to the Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa, ON as a non-paid event. They are the band that plays at the Parliament, (their National Capital) on a daily basis during the summer months. While in Ottawa, a mutual friend and Assistant Director for the Nova Scotia Tattoo suggested they we have breakfast with my old friend Guthrie. During breakfast, the subject of starting a new Band developed and became the genesis of the “Band of America’s Few”. Guthrie would fund the band and I would develop and Direct the Band as equal partners. Next, a mass e-mail from my Facebook friends list resulted in a flash flood of enthusiastic, motivated former Marines from across the United States. The overwhelming result was that this band was literally built over night. Now months later, there are over three hundred members in the Facebook group site and people lined up in case any of the 56 musicians this year can't make it. As a result of two dear friends with a unified vision with complimenting joint assets, the American Flag will fly again in the Metrocentre in Halifax as the "Band of America's Few"!
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