One Marine Band unit, stationed in Philadelphia under Colonel William Ward Burrows, became the nucleus of the now famous Marine Band. Drum Major William Farr was appointed its leader.
Philadelphia people liked the Marine Band and its lively martial music. An especially large crowd enjoyed their playing on July 4, 1800, at the celebration of Independence Day. This was their last performance in Philadelphia; they moved to Washington in that same month, weary, footsore Marines camped in tents on a grassy slope overlooking the Potomac and the beautiful hills of Virginia beyond.
The people of Washington were thrilled and excited over the coming of the band and gladly welcomed it. This Federal City had proved sadly disappointing to its new residents, many of them from busy cities like New York, Philadelphia and Richmond. To them Washington was a desolate, forlorn-looking place—“mudhole in a wilderness” many called it. To these lonely people the band’s lively music hinted at dances and parties.
The Marine Band received orders to do all in their power to cheer the inhabitants of Washington. Shortly after reaching the city on August 21, the band gave its first concert. Fortunately they played in the open air, for almost everyone in the town and country around attended. Everyone was joyous and happy at this first attempt at any kind of entertainment for the people. Young and old were there, dressed in their best, all eager to hear the first band concert in Washington.
Similar evening entertainments were enjoyed throughout those summer and autumn months. The Marine Band grew very popular with everyone, particularly President Adams, Vice-President Jefferson and the Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddard. Colonel Burrows, proud of his band, bought a number of new instruments which included two French horns, two clarinets, one bassoon and a bass drum.
On New Year’s Day, 1801, the Marine Band for the first time played at the “President’s Palace,” as the White House was always called until it was burned by the British in the war of 1812. The occasion of this band concert was the formal reception held by President and Mrs. John Adams. Since that time the Marine Band’s playing at the Presidents’ New Year’s receptions has become traditional.
Not only was the music pleasing, but the players were glamorous. The band uniforms were gay and striking—short, scarlet, gold-buttoned coatees, faced and edged with blue and gold; high blue collars and blue shoulder straps trimmed with gold; blue pantaloons with a scarlet stripe; and brown hats turned up on the left side with a black leather cockade. Each bandsman wore the black leather stock, or collar, which gave the Marines their familiar nickname of Leathernecks.
Besides playing at many parties and balls, the band took part in religious services. The newspapers of that day say that it often played at the Sunday church services held in the Hall of Congress. “Their polished instruments and colorful uniforms made a dazzling appearance and their music was excellent.”
On their first Fourth of July in Washington, 1801, the Marine Corps, led by the band, marched in review before President Jefferson on the lawn of the Executive Mansion. Because of his great interest in it, President Jefferson was called the god-father of the band, and the name, The President’s Own, was often applied to it.
During the war with Great Britain in 1812, many Marine bandsmen laid aside their instruments and joined the fighting. They fought in the Battle of Bladensburg and also helped to save the records of the U. S. Marine Corps when the Capital was fired by the enemy troops.