2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band

The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band is a United States Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force regional military band located at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. It performs at basic state functions, civilian ceremonies, and military parades in the region, presenting musical support and entertainment for unit/community events.[2][3]

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band
The 2nd MAW Band marches down Fifth Avenue during the 2010 Columbus Day Parade.
Active1941 – present
Country United States
Branch United States Marine Corps
Typemilitary band
Role
Size51 members
Part of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Nickname(s)2nd MAW Band
MarchMarine Hymn (official hymn)
Semper Fidelis (official march)
Commanders
BandmasterMaster Sergeant Stephen L. Davis
Drum MajorGunnery Sergeant Monica A. Preston[1]
Enlisted ConductorGunnery Sergeant William C. Kilian

History

The band was founded shortly after the aircraft wing was founded in July 1941. It took part in the opening of New Bern's Tryon Palace in April 1959.[4] In 2007, the 2nd MAW Band was deployed to Iraq to support Multi-National Forces West by providing security at a tactical air control center for the remainder of the Iraq War.[5] In 2013, the band took part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the East Coast Marine Corps Composite Band.[6]

Honors

The band had Certificates of Commendation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps (Generals Robert E. Cushman Jr. in 1973 and Paul X. Kelley in 1985) given to them. Additionally, the band received Meritorious Unit Citations in 1972 and 1984 for excellence in the performance of duty.

Ensembles and events
Two percussionists of the 2nd MAW Band performing at Uniondale High School.

The 51 members of the band are organized a range of unit ensembles:

  • Marching Band
  • Concert Band
  • Jazz Band[7]
  • Big Band
  • Show Band
  • Jazz Combo
  • Brass Quintet
  • Woodwind Quintet
  • Woodwind Duo

All 9 of these ensembles play am important part in public relations for the band and the 2nd MAW Wing, traveling extensively throughout the eastern United States. It has made appearances many events such as the following:

During one of their international visits, the band had the rare honor of performing for the Margrethe II of Denmark and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

  • The 2nd MAW Band with members of the Band of the Ceremonial Guard at the Fortissimo Sunset Ceremony in the Canadian capital of Ottawa.
  • Chief Warrant Officer Ben Bartholomew, conducts the band during a rehearsal for the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Battle of the Bands.
  • The 2nd MAW Band at the 2011 Morehead City Veterans Day Parade
  • Gunnery Sergeant Victor Miranda, drum major for the 2nd MAW Band, salutes during the 32nd Annual Troy Flag Day Parade.
  • The 2nd MAW Band at Capron Park, Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Sources
  1. https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/stark-county-native-and-ua-grad-thrilled-to-lead-the-way-at-this-years-hall-of-fame-parade?template=ampart
  2. "2D MAW Band".
  3. "Welcome to North Carolina's Outer Banks - United States July 4th-Marine Corps 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band".
  4. Commission, Tryon Palace (2015). Tryon Palace. ISBN 9781467123242.
  5. "2D MAW Band History".
  6. "Camp Lejeune Marines perform in Macy'sThanksgiving Day Parade".
  7. "2017 Jazz Festival Recap".

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