The American Expeditionary Forces HQ Band (AEF) will perform at the Military Through The Ages event at the Jamestown Settlement March 15-16, 2025.
Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person. Plan your visit today or call (757) 253-4838 for more information.
THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES (AEF) HEADQUARTERS BAND
With America’s entrance into World War I and the mobilization of a huge force, after the declaration of war in April 1917, military bands increased in number as well as strength due to the efforts of General John Joseph (“Blackjack”) Pershing who was appointed Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in Europe. There was a need for music in the military to provide for ceremonies, parades, concerts, and for the general morale of troops. Today, the US Army Band’s mission is to “provide music throughout the spectrum of military operations, to instill in our soldiers the will to fight and win, foster the support of our citizens, and promote our national interests at home and abroad.” That same thought applied as the United States expanded its army in the summer months of 1917.
If ever there was an officer who can be credited with a wholehearted support of military music it would be General Pershing. His attention to music was evident in his desire to increase the number of bands and personnel, form a headquarters band in France and set up a training school for bandleaders. He was also known to personally inspect bands himself. Probably no general officer was more concerned about music since Robert E. Lee stated, “I don’t believe we can have an Army without music.” One of General Pershing’s remarks during a dinner in France was characteristic of his intentions to improve the music of US Army bands, “When peace is declared and our bands march up Fifth Avenue, I should like them to play so well that it will be another proof of the advantage of military training.”
Pershing wrote, “I was very desirous to enhance the music of the bands throughout the A.E.F., particularly because of its positive impact on troop morale. To achieve this, a group of musicians was chosen from various regimental bands and gathered in Chaumont for training. I also aimed to organize our bands in a way that would allow us to split each one into three sections when needed to provide music to the battalions, especially during marches. From this assembly of musicians, the Headquarters Band was formed. Mr. Damrosch deserves much of the credit for the growth of this remarkable organization.”
In 1918 General Pershing asked prominent musician Walter Damrosch to be a consultant for a planned Allied Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) Bandmasters and Musicians School. Around this time a decision was also being made to develop a large band in the tradition of the French Garde Republicaine Band that would perform for American ceremonial occasions, specifically those associated with General Pershing. The school would be located at the AEF Headquarters in Chaumont France. This band was made up of the best enlisted musicians from all the bands in France. This elite unit became known as “Pershing’s Band” and performed for ceremonies at the AEF Headquarters during the war and participated in a Victory Loan tour in U.S. cities during the spring of 1919. It was disbanded after the war. In 1922 Pershing ordered the organizing of a premier Army Band in Washington DC that would become the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
The AEF Headquarters Band was formed as part of the Doughboy Foundation’s Educational Outreach. The band recreates the music heard from 1918 to 1919 at the AEF HQ in Chaumont, France, along with popular music of the time. The band wears reproductions of the doughboy uniforms worn by musicians of the time, with the insignia of the AEF HQ on their left shoulder.
The AEF Headquarters Band performs music of the period including marches by John Philip Sousa, Over There, Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag, Keep The Home Fire Burning, K-K-K-Katy, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, and It’s a Long Way To Tipperary. Composers like Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, Percy Grainger, and Kenneth Alford are represented. The band also performs music written by African America composers, James Reese Europe, W.C. Handy, Nobel Sissle and Eubie Blake.
Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person. Plan your visit today or call (757) 253-4838 for more information.
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