U.S. Coast Guard Band

Coast Guard commands may request musical support for ceremonies and other events, such as Changes of Command, Dinings In, Changes of Watch, and Retirements. Typical support would include pre-ceremony music, rendering of honors, the presentation of colors, music for inspection of the troops or a musical interlude of military service songs, and music for the departure of the official party. The requestor must fund transportation, lodging and/or meals if applicable, and other incidental expenses. An FTA to the band’s travel account is the preferred method of funding. Background, dinner, dance or other social music for service-sponsored events are permitted only for events held at military installations. 

For more information and to request the band, click U.S. Coast Guard Band Ceremonial Support Request Form and follow instructions on form.

The United States Coast Guard Band fulfills a limited number of public requests for patriotic programs (patriotic opener) at national conventions and meetings of nationally recognized civic, patriotic, and veterans organizations. Sponsors for these events must fund all expenses such as transportation, lodging and/or meals if applicable, incidental expenses, and promotion efforts. All ‘gift’ offers to pay for band travel must be accepted and approved by the Coast Guard Academy Superintendent. The Coast Guard Band will consider participation only if the event meets general community relations criteria at no additional cost to the government. The Band may not participate in fundraising events, events that benefit a particular business or company, events geared toward a narrow segment of the population, events that are associated with any religious or ideological movement, or those that are designed to increase business traffic or awareness. Events must be free and open to the public without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin, and not be detrimental to the interests or values of the Coast Guard. 

A patriotic opener consists of 15 minutes of patriotic music, including the presentation of colors. This serves to initiate the formal element of a civic, government or military event and must include the National Anthem unless the ceremony includes a recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. During civic events with patriotic openers, the Band may not provide additional music for entertainment such as concert or show music, or for background such as dance, cocktail, or dinner music. 

For more information and to request patriotic support, click U.S. Coast Guard Band Patriotic Opener Request Form, and follow instructions on form.

The United States Coast Guard Band conducts one national tour each year providing free public concert appearances. While on tour, the United States Coast Guard funds all transportation, berthing and per diem costs associated with all concerts, offering a great value to a sponsor and providing a musical gift to the local community. If you are interested in sponsoring a concert during its national tour, please find more information under Band Tours. 

When sponsoring the band for a concert, while not on a tour and within 90 miles of the USCG Academy, the USCG Band covers the cost of travel and equipment movement for our members. The sponsor must provide the cost of the venue, promotion efforts, ticket printing and distribution, and all incidental expenses connected with the appearance.

When sponsoring the band for a concert, while not on a tour and beyond 90 miles of the USCG Academy, the sponsor must provide the cost of transportation for band members and equipment, hotels and/or per diem if applicable, as well as cost of the venue, promotion efforts, ticket printing and distribution, and all incidental expenses connected with the appearance. For reference, the cost of one coach bus and 2 - 24’ trucks is around $2400 to $3000 for concerts that span a typical workday. All performance requests and offers to pay for band travel must be accepted and approved by the Coast Guard Academy Superintendent. Requests for concerts that span a typical workday could be subject to possible additional costs for hotel and/or per diem as established by government travel regulations. Several factors, including distance, estimated overall travel time, time of day of event, and the band’s overall schedule, are weighed to determine the need for lodging and/or meals. 

Suitable concert sites include a climate controlled concert hall or an appropriate outdoor location. The indoor auditorium should have a seating capacity of at least 1,000 and a stage size of at least 50’ wide and 40’ deep. An outdoor site should consist of a platform stage with an acoustical shell, also 50’ wide x 40’ deep, and be in an area that can accommodate over 1,000 people.

The Band may not participate in fundraising events, events that benefit a particular business or company, events geared toward a narrow segment of the population, events that are associated with any religious or ideological movement, or those that are designed to increase business traffic or awareness. Events must be free and open to the public without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin, and not be detrimental to the interests or values of the Coast Guard.

Armed Forces musicians are prohibited by law from playing at public-domain events that put them in competition with non-military musicians. Armed Forces musicians may not provide background, dinner, or dance music at non-military functions.

Official Coast Guard activities may take precedence over any other appearance. It is very rare, but occasionally an event of national significance may supersede a previously scheduled appearance and participation may need to be cancelled. 

If you wish to sponsor a band concert, are able to fund all costs associated with the event, and are able to meet the general Coast Guard Community Relations criteria, click here, U.S. Coast Guard Band Concert Performance Request Form, and follow instructions on form.

The United States Coast Guard Band annually tours one of five areas of the country on a rotating basis. If you wish your community to be considered on a future tour stop, submit your request early. Tour schedules are planned over one year in advance.

The Coast Guard office of the Commandant (CG-0922) funds all tour transportation and per diem. Tour concert sponsors are required to fund and carry out all concert promotions, ticket printing and distribution, programs, site costs, and all incidental expenses connected to the tour performance. Sponsors typically are newspapers, radio and television stations, civic and educational organizations, chambers of commerce, and schools and universities. 

If you are interested in sponsoring a concert for your city or town during the national tour, please visit our Tours section.