215th Army Band (United States)

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The 215th Army Band, also known as the The Governor's Own, is a U.S. Army National Guard Band based in Fall River, Massachusetts. For more than 60 years, the band has performed throughout New England and the world.

Contents

[edit] Heritage

Prior to federal recognition, the 215th was known as the 104th AAA Band. Formed in Boston in 1950 with only 14 members, the band moved to Fall River in 1974. In 1993, many members of the newly deactivated 26th Yankee Division Band joined the 215th, which also assumed the 26th YD Band's lineage. The 215th is now a part of the 79th Troop Command, MAARNG. Primarily, the band performs across the state in concerts, parades, and state functions. Those who know the 215th know of their professionalism and dedication to their unit, the military, the nation, and to the community in which they serve.

The 215th, under the command of CW4 James M. Girard, is distinguished with many awards for military training as well as musicianship. Some of the military awards include the Eisenhower Trophy for the most outstanding company-size unit and a NATO Commendation from the Commander of the Icelandic Defense Force. The band has been the international musical ambassador for the State of Massachusetts on numerous occasions. During the 1986 Presidential Summit with the Soviet Union in Iceland the 215th was the only United States military band to perform for President Ronald Reagan. In 1989 "The Governor's Own" received honors for their successful tour of Jamaica and, in 1990 the country of Greece. In May 1995 the band traveled to The Netherlands to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. In 1996, 2000, and 2005 the band traveled to Fort Monroe, VA to back-fill for the United States Continental Army Band. In 2003 the band back-filled for the US Army Band Europe in Heidelberg, Germany and in July 2007, the U.S. ARMY MATERIEL COMMAND BAND out of ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Maryland, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

[edit] Lineage

The 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts National Guard is distinguished with many awards for military training as well as musicianship. Some of the military awards include the Eisenhower Trophy for the most outstanding company-size unit and a NATO Commendation from the Commander of the Icelandic Defense Force.

The band has been the international musical ambassador for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on numerous occasions. During the 1986 Presidential Summit with the Soviet Union in Iceland the 215th was the only United States military band to perform for President Reagan. The 215th received honors for their successful tours of Jamaica and Greece. In May 1995, the band traveled to The Netherlands to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of WW II.

On three separate occasions the band traveled to Fort Monroe, VA to backfill for The United States Continental Army Band. The band has backfilled for US Army Band Europe in Heidelberg, Germany and they recently returned from Aberdeen Provings Grounds, Maryland where they backfilled for the US Army Material Command Band. The 215th will be performing a concert tour in Western Massachusetts during July 2008, based out of Westover Air Force Base. During the summer of 2009 the band is headed to Fairbanks, Alaska to perform missions in and around Fort Wainwright.

Formed in Boston in 1950 with only 14 members, the band moved to Fall River in 1974. Primarily, the band performs across the state in concerts, parades, and state functions. Those who know the 215th know of their professionalism and dedication to their unit, the military, and to the community in which they serve.

Lineage of the 215th Army Band

Organized in 1847 in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia as the Band, 5th Regiment of Artillery, 1st Brigade, 1st Division

Redesignated 26 February 1855 as the Band, 2d Regiment of Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Division

Redesignated 24 January 1861 as the Band, 1st Regiment of Infantry

Mustered into federal service 15 June 1861 at Boston as the Band, 1st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment; mustered out of federal service 25 May 1864 at Boston and resumed state status as the Band, 1st Regiment of Infantry

Redesignated 15 January 1871 as the Band, 1st Battalion of Light Artillery, 1st Brigade, 1st Division

Redesignated 26 February 1916 as the Band, 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment of Field Artillery

Mustered into federal service 18 June 1916 at South Framingham; mustered out of federal service 30 October – 27 November 1916

Drafted into federal service 5 August 1917

Reorganized and redesignated 18 August 1917 at the Band, 101st Field Artillery, an element of the 26th Division

Demobilized 29 April 1919 at Camp Devens, Massachusetts

Reorganized and federally recognized 18 January 1921 in the Massachusetts National Guard at Brockton, MA as the Band Section, Service Battery, 101st Field Artillery, an element of the 26th Division

Redesignated 1 July 1940 as the Band, 101st Field Artillery

Inducted into federal service 16 January 1941 at Brockton

Reorganized and redesignated 12 February 1942 as the Band, 26th Division Artillery

Consolidated 14 August 1943 with the Band, 101st Infantry (see ANNEX 1), and consolidated unit reorganized and redesignated as the Band, 26th Infantry Division

Redesignated 1 December 1943 as the 26th Infantry Division Band

Inactivated 29 December 1945 at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts

Reorganized and federally recognized 11 April 1947 at Boston

Location changed 15 November 1959 to Cambridge, MA

Reorganized and redesignated 1 March 1963 as the Band Section of Headquarters and Band, 26th Infantry Division Support Command; location concurrently changed to Newton

Reorganized and redesignated 1 March 1964 as the Band Section of Headquarters Company and Band, 26th Infantry Division Support Command

Location changed 2 July 1964 to Boston

Reorganized and redesignated 1 March 1972 as the Band Section of the 26th Adjutant General Company, an element of the 26th Infantry Division

Reorganized and redesignated 1 April 1988 as the 26th Infantry Division Band; location concurrently changed to West Newton

Consolidated 1 September 1993 with the 215th Army Band (see ANNEX 2) and consolidation unit designated as the 215th Army Band; concurrently relieved from assignment to the 26th Infantry Division

Annex I Organized and mustered into federal service 11 June 1861 at Boston as the Band, 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment; mustered our of federal service 21 June 1864 at Boston

Reorganized in 1866 in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia at Boston as the Band, 9th Regiment of Infantry

Redesignated 9 July 1876 as the Band, 9th Battalion of Infantry, 2d Brigade

Redesignated 3 December 1878 as the Band, 9th Regiment of Infantry

Mustered into federal service9-12 May 1898 at South Framingham as the Band, 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry; mustered out of federal service 26 November 1898 at Boston

Mustered into federal service 25 June 1916 at South Framingham; mustered out of federal service 23 November 1916 at Boston

Drafted into federal service 5 August 1917 Reorganized and redesignated 18 August 1917 as the Band, 101st Infantry, an element of the 26th Division

Demobilized 28 April 1919 at Camp Devens, Massachusetts

Reorganized and federally recognized 8 July 1926 in the Massachusetts National Guard at Boston as the Band Section, Service Company, 101st Infantry, an element of the 26th Division

Redesignated 1 May 1940 as the Band, 101st Infantry

Inducted into federal service 16 January 1941 at Boston

Annex II Organized and federally recognized 8 December 1950 in the Massachusetts Army National Guard at Boston as the 215th Army Band

Location changed 1 March 1963 to Dorchester; on 1 February 1967 to Waltham; and on 1 February 1974 to Fall River

HOME STATION: Fall River, MA

Campaign Participation Credit

CIVIL WAR Bull Run Peninsula Manassas Antietam Fredericksburg Chancellorsville Gettysburg Wilderness Spotsylvania Cold Harbor

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR Santiago

WORLD WAR I Champagne-Marne Aisne-Marne Meuse-Argonne St. Mihiel Ile de France 1918 Lorraine 1918

WORLD WAR II Northern France Rhineland Ardennes-Alsace Central Europe

DECORATIONS Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgium Army for actions at Arlon and Bastogne

[edit] Performance

Military ceremonies comprise only a small part of the 215th Army Band’s performance schedule. Every year the band performs several free concerts and marching shows throughout the state, as well as a two week tour of duty either stateside or overseas. Performances include parades, civic events, concerts, military tattoos, small group ensembles, as well as performing the National Anthem at various sporting events.

[edit] Ensembles

  • Ceremonial Band
  • Concert Band
  • Voices of Freedom
  • Magnetic North Combo (Pop, Rock, Funk, Blues)
  • Rock Band
  • Pan Quest Caribbean Ensemble
  • Alliance Light Jazz and Soul
  • Commonwealth Brass Quintet
  • Woodwind Ensemble
  • New Orleans Dixieland Brass Band


[edit] Trivia

  • The U.S. Army currently employs over 5,000 musician-soldiers throughout the Continental United States as well as in many locations like Alaska, Hawaii, Germany, Belgium, Japan, and Korea!
  • Many American historic events occurred with the support of a military musical unit. Prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, colonial soldiers marched to the music of fifes and drums. During the Civil War, military leaders on both sides relied on military musicians to entertain troops, position troops in battle, and stir the troops on to victory.
  • Bands, such as the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the 1st Infantry Division, received decorations for their performance in combat. Other bands have entertained at official functions, entertained troops, and traveled throughout the world aiding public relations inside and outside of the United States.

[edit] External links

Interests & Hobbies: Concert Band, Magnetic North Pop/Rock Band, Marching/Ceremonial Band, "Fest Band", Commonwealth Brass Quintet, Jazz quartet, Voices of Freedom vocal group, New Orleans Brass Band