The United States Merchant Marine Academy Regimental Band , designated as "George M. Cohan's Own" , is a United States military band and college marching band that currently serves as the official marching band of the United States Merchant Marine Academy . The USMMA is the only service academy outside of the six senior military colleges , to maintain a cadet-staffed band for musical purposes. The band, unlike other musical units of service academies, is a co-located full-time ensemble. The band mainly provides ceremonial support for protocol ceremonies and athletic events.
10-699: The regimental band routinely performs A Life on the Ocean Wave , the official march of the USMMA and the Star Spangled Banner at all ceremonies. The Academy's modern regimental band succeeded a full-time band that was deactivated following World War II . As of 2018, the Academy's official website listed the band's director as Lieutenant Commander Bob Nixon. Captain Kenneth Force , who
20-475: A gold chinstrap, a black tunic, and white trousers, alongside white gloves and black shoes. A Life on the Ocean Wave "A Life on the Ocean Wave" is a poem-turned-song by Epes Sargent published in 1838 and set to music by Henry Russell . It is the iconic Regimental March of His Majesty's Royal Marines . One day Sargent was walking on The Battery in New York City watching the ships enter
30-406: A stout vessel and crew, We'll say, let the storm come down. And the song of our hearts shall be, While the wind and the water rave. A life on the heaving sea, A home on the bounding wave. ( Chorus ) A life on the ocean wave, A home on the rolling deep, Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep, The winds, the winds, the winds their revels keep, (the winds,
40-713: The Miss America Pageant , and events on Cow Harbor Day . Like its counterparts at the Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pennsylvania , it uses the same military format as the British Royal Marines Band Service . An example of this similarity is seen the most in the use of tenor drums and its location to the front of the formation. The uniform consists of a combination peaked cap with
50-498: The New York Times described as the " Toscanini of Military Marching Bands," directed the band from 1971 – 2016. The band was given the designation "George M. Cohan's Own" in 1999 by two of composer George M. Cohan 's grandchildren, in recognition of the band's assistance in saving Cohan's seven acre former residence from demolition. In 1999, Midshipman Lester Snyder, a trumpet player from Decatur, Illinois commented on
60-812: The "Ceremony of Beating Retreat ", which is a military tattoo based in British roots. It takes place during the USMMA parent weekend, and usually has parents of midshipmen in attendance. The band traditionally performs at the end of the National Memorial Day Parade in May. The band has also historically taken part in civil parades/events, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade , the Cotton Bowl Classic Halftime Show,
70-456: The accomplishment: ''It's a great part of history. Now, I can take my kids here someday when I come back for homecoming. I'll be able to share this with the next generation, and maybe they will get to know something about the feeling of duty and honor to your country.'' The 35-piece band maintains the following ensembles at its disposal: The band for decades represented the academy at presidential inaugural parades. The band plays an essential in
80-539: The harbour. This scene inspired Sargent to write a poem, which Russell later put to music. The song soon became popular in both the United Kingdom and the United States . A life on the ocean wave! A home on the rolling deep! Where the scatter'd waters rave, and the winds their revels keep; Like an eagle cag'd I pine, On this dull, unchanging shore; Oh give me the flashing brine, The spray and
90-444: The sparkling foam, Like an ocean bird set free; Like the ocean bird, our home We'll find far out on the sea. ( Chorus ) A life on the ocean wave, A home on the rolling deep, Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep, The winds, the winds, the winds their revels keep, (the winds, the winds, the winds their revels keep). The land is no longer in view, The clouds have begun to frown; But with
100-423: The tempest's roar. ( Chorus ) A life on the ocean wave, A home on the rolling deep, Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep, The winds, the winds, the winds their revels keep, (the winds, the winds, the winds their revels keep). Once more on the deck I stand, Of my own swift gliding craft, Set sail! and farewell to the land, The gale follows fair abaft! We shoot thro'
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