Military
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Awards 2024 Submissions
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego celebrated its Centennial Anniversary in 2021 commemorating 100 years of making Marines. In its illustrious history, the Depot has made over 1.5 million Marines and continues to do so in times of peace and war.
For centuries, music has played a crucial role in the traditions, culture, and functionality of any military. Musicians were among the first Marines to be enlisted upon the creation of our Corps and have served with unmatched dedication to country and craft both on the home front and on our nation's battlefields. The Marine Corps Recruit Depot Band, Marine Band San Diego (colloquially known as “The Depot Band”), was officially established in 1921 and has entertained the people of America with its performances of traditional and contemporary music. The Marines of this unit retain all the necessary skills to be a United States Marine and hold with them the responsibility of preserving our Nation's and Corps' most sacred traditions through the art of music.
In 2021, trumpet instrumentalist and photographer Lance Corporal Nathan Miranda set out to recognize the heritage of this historical unit by recreating photographs found in the band's archives. This unique set of photographs highlights Marine Band San Diego and its Marines throughout its history in some of the band's most significant locations. Original photographs (courtesy of Marine Band San Diego, photographers unknown) compared with modern-day recreations depict a rich visual history of how Marine Bands have evolved in the past 100 years. From military funerals and memorial services at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, concerts in Balboa Park, and graduation ceremonies on the famous Depot parade deck, these recreated photographs aim to commemorate the historical and traditional significance Marine Bands and Marine Musicians make to our Corps every day.
“Arch E7” – Marching in front of the present-day Depot Library, the band marches along the famous Arcade on its way to a Recruit Training Graduation Ceremony.
“Balboa” – Since its earliest days in San Diego, the Depot Band has performed concerts at the iconic Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. The photos were taken in front of what is now the San Diego Museum of Art.
“Fort Rosecrans” – Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, with its scenic views of the San Diego coastal plain on the East and the vast Pacific Ocean to the West, is a sacred place to many musicians of the Depot Band - especially ceremonial buglers. Corporal Arthur Lubberstedt stands among the same tombstones countless other buglers stood before performing the 24 solemn notes of “Taps.”
“Parade Deck” – The Band marches in slow time before the nation's newest Marines. Every "Hollywood Marine" remembers the sights and sounds of this historic place.
Fleet Work
Documenting what Marine Musicians do best: sharing the music of our nation with our people and the world.
Buglers and Drummers from Marine Band San Diego pose in front of the famous main arch at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Musicians from the 111th Army Band, 25th Infantry Division Band, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Hawaii, U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Band, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band combine in concert to perform a joint-service concert in Waikiki, Hawaii.
Marine Band San Diego's Brass Quintet performs on the hangar deck of the USS Midway.
Cpl. Nicholas Calderon (USMC) plays bass drum during a parade in Waikiki, Hawaii.
Musicians with Marine Band San Diego engage in a ground fighting event as part of a battalion-wide athletic competition.
Marine Band San Diego's Rock Band "Sound Strike" performs at Downtown Disney, Anaheim, California.
The First Marine Division Band from Camp Pendleton, California steps off during a Morning Colors Ceremony aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Marine Band San Diego performs during halftime at the opening game for the new Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
Tubist Lance Corporal Bryan Lester (USMC) conducts a portion of the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test.
The "Commandant's Own" United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps performs at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego during their annual west coast tour.
Musicians with the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band conduct martial arts training.
Musician 3rd Class (USN) Damian Chambers sings the National Anthem opening an event at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Saxophonist Corporal Kwame Dinizulu (USMC, left) congratulates Saxophonist Corporal Noah Stefaniak (USMC, right) on his promotion.
The Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California performs during the 2022 Miramar Airshow.
Percussionist Lance Corporal Tyler Crocker (USMC) completes a portion of the Marine Corps Intermediate Water Survival qualification.
Sergeant Dalia Berman (USA) performs on cymbals during a joint-service concert in Waikiki, Hawaii.
Families watch in excitement as the new Marines of Hotel Company run by on a Motivational Run while Marine Band San Diego's Jazz Combo performs.
Sergeant Aaron Dumlao (USMC) performs on sousaphone alongside high school and university bands from across the nation during a ceremony in Waikiki, Hawaii.