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Leading the charge, Staff Sgt. James Mathis, drum major of the Quantico Marine Corps Band begins their four mile march outside the band hall on Roan st toward the Officer Candidates School.

Photo by Photo by Jeremy Beale

Jazzy tunes, rhythm and blues: Quantico Marine Corps Band to march in Mardi Gras

8 Feb 2018 | Jeremy Beale/Staff Writer Marine Corps Base Quantico

For the first time the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana Feb. 8 to march in the famous and spectacular Mardi Gras Parades.

Throughout January, the Quantico Marine Corps Ceremonial and Dixieland Band have been hard at work preparing to perform in one of the nation’s most exciting events.

“For many in New Orleans this will be their first time in contact with Marines and we will be the front lines to what Marines represent,” Bandmaster Master Sgt. David Wilson said. “We are musical ambassadors of the Marine Corps and the representation of Marine Corps Base Quantico, Crossroads of the Marine Corps.”

At least three times a week the band has rehearsed their music selections for two to three hours per day sometimes marching more than five miles each time.

On average, the band performs no more than five parades per year, however, during Mardi Gras festivities the band will perform in four parades in one week.

In honor of one of the jazz, blues and rhythm capitals of the nation, the band will bring a familiar brass sound to New Orleans by performing music selections such as “South Rampart Street Parade” by Ray Bauduc “The Saints” by Richard Bowles and “Bourbon Street Parade” by Paul Barbarin.

The band’s parade schedule:

• Feb. 9  –  Krewe of Centurions Parade beginning at 7 p.m.
• Feb. 10 – Krewe of Isis Parade, 6:30 p.m.
• Feb. 11 – Krewe of Mid-City Parade, 11:45 a.m.
• Feb. 13 – Krewe of Rex Parade, 10 a.m.


Marine Corps Base Quantico