Navy Band Northwest is the United States Navy's musical ambassador in the Pacific Northwest region. Through military ceremonies and public performances, Navy Band Northwest serves to heighten esprit de corps throughout military and civilian communities, promote patriotism, and increase public awareness of the Navy's mission. This 35-member unit is comprised of professional musicians performing in various ensembles including ceremonial band, parade band, concert band, rock band, New Orleans-style brass band, jazz combo, brass quintet and woodwind quintet. Under the operational control of Commander, Navy Region Northwest, Navy Band Northwest is one of nine official U.S. Navy Bands located in the continental United States, Hawaii, Italy, and Japan.
Find Navy Band Northwest Leadership biographies here.
History
Navy Band Northwest traces its history to 1925 where it was unofficially known as the Third Battalion, U.S. Naval Reserve Forces, 13th Naval District Band. In 1944, a group of Sailors from various ratings formed a band at Naval Air Station (NAS) Seattle at Sand Point to welcome home the Hellcat Fighter Squadron of Carrier Aircraft Support Unit 7. In honor of the fighter squadron returning from combat operations in the South Pacific, the band became known thereafter as the Hellcat Band.
The official commissioning of the 13th Naval District Band took place in 1953 at Pier 91 in Seattle. The band later moved to Naval Air Station Seattle at Sand Point in the fall of 1970 where its name was changed to Northwest Navy Band and later to Navy Band Seattle. In April 1985, the band moved into Building 30 on Sand Point, a remodeled portion of the hangar where the Hellcat Band had welcomed home the World War II heroes of Carrier Aircraft Support Unit 7. The band remained on Sand Point until 1995 when Naval Air Station Seattle closed as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Navy Band Seattle relocated across the Puget Sound to its current facility at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor located in Silverdale, Washington. Navy Band Seattle was renamed Navy Band Northwest on April 1, 1999 as a result of Navy Regionalization Initiatives.
Navy Band Northwest's current mission is to provide musical support for official Navy functions and recruiting efforts, as well as community outreach performances in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.
For the latest details and an updated performance schedule, please visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/navybandnorthwest.
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