Navy Band director Lieutenant Charles Benter (right) and Rear Admiral Benjamin F. Hutchison (left) inspecting the Navy Band's new uniform, at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C., in about 1926. This garb was informally known as the Lion-Tamer Uniform. The original photograph was received from the Bureau of Construction & Repair in 1926.
The Navy has 11 active-duty bands, stationed around the United States and around the world. Navy bands represent more than 320,000 active-duty Sailors, as well as the Navy's reserve and civilian forces. Performing around the world, Navy bands are improving relations with allies and winning hearts and minds with the universal language of music. Bands perform military ceremonies and public concerts and support the Navy's public outreach and recruiting efforts. Every year, Navy bands participate in about 6,000 performances, for live audiences totaling more than 15 million people, plus more than 300 million people via broadcast.