Parris Island Marine Band starting free summer concert series in SC. Here’s where to find them
With more than a century of history and a legacy of military musical excellence, the Parris Island Marine Band is once again taking its stirring sound across the Lowcountry this summer.
From lively parades to evening concerts under the stars, this elite ensemble will be performing free public concerts as part of their highly anticipated Summer Concert Series.
A SC band built on tradition
The Parris Island Marine Band was established shortly after the U.S. Navy transferred recruit training to Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1915.
Among the first 750 Marines stationed there were Sergeant William Gauer, the Depot’s first Bandmaster, and Sergeant Anton Schnichowski, the first Drum Major, who formed the original band, setting in motion a tradition that would last through generations.
Since the band first began, members were more than musicians, but marksmanship instructors, close combat trainers and integral members on base. Today, every band member is still a fully trained Marine, maintaining combat readiness alongside their musical roles. This has earned the band’s reputation as one of the premier musical units in the United States Armed Forces.
Currently composed of 50 enlisted instrumentalists and one Band Officer, the Parris Island Marine Band performs hundreds of engagements each year. These include:
Concert Band
Marching/Ceremonial Band
Brass Band
Quintet
Jazz Combo
Iron Mic
Here’s where to find them perform
Here’s where you can catch the band live this summer across Beaufort County and neighboring cities. All concerts are free and open to the public:
Friday, June 27, in Woodruff, SC: Wind Ensemble at the Woodruff Summer Music Series in McKinney Park at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, in Rincon, GA: Ceremonial Band at the “Freedom Rings” parade and festival starting at Ft. Howard Road at 10 a.m.
Monday, June 30, in Aiken, SC: Wind Ensemble at the 51st Annual Hopelands Concert Series at the Ronald H. Windham Stage in Hopelands Gardens at 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 3, in Bluffton, SC: Dirty Boots Brass Band at the Town of Bluffton Independence Day Celebration in Martin Family Park at 5 p.m.
Friday, July 4 in Port Royal, SC: Iron Mic/Brass Band at the Port Royal 4th of July Celebration at the Sands Beach Boat Landing at 8 p.m.
Friday, July 11, in Beaufort, SC: Wind Ensemble at the 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Opening Ceremony at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park at 7 p.m.
To learn more about the band, its history or other performances, you can visit their website, Facebook or Instagram.
