The 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard, the "Governor's Own" as of 2013, has been entertaining the citizens of Michigan for over 60 years. Based in Grand Rapids, the band has earned praise from music critics and audiences alike. The band is assigned to the Michigan National Guard Headquarters in Lansing and is stationed at the Belmont Armory in Belmont.
The band receives hundreds of requests annually and unfortunately can't accept them all. In order to request a band, please peruse the options available below and consult the FAQs at the bottom of the page. Requests should be completed, signed and submitted at least 120 days in advance of the event. Submitting requests 9-18 months out generally has a higher acceptance rate.
The band consists of 35 Soldiers, playing a variety of instruments, ranging from woodwind to brass to string. Members are skilled in a variety of instruments that include the flute, clarinet, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, guitar and keyboard.
The Concert Band is a full symphonic wind ensemble. This band is perfect for your patriotic concerts and festivals.
Mobile, responsive, ready to march.
This jazz combo captivates audiences with their vibrant swinging rhythms and melodic interplay, perfect for a performance or background music for an event.
Sometimes all you need is one. Whether you need a dinner bugler or, alternatively, to pay the highest respects for our fallen soldiers - we would love to serve and assist.
Sometimes the perfect thing for your venue is a compact and simple musical group. Our pianists primarily perform for background dinner or cocktail music.
The Minutemen Brass Quintet is a group that can adjust rapidly to fit your venue and ceremonial needs. Their repertoire ranges from traditional classical to jazz to popular music.
This rock band covers popular music across several genres and decades. This group has an impressive history of delivering entertainment to military and civilian communities alike.
This small group delivers an impressive performance and can serve as background music or as front stage entertainment.
We're a multi-talented group that changes and modifies its performance groups to fit a venue. Your performance may be some combination of the groups here - or something entirely different.
You must thoroughly complete a DD Form 2536. You must have the form completed and signed by the requesting organization.
Here is a DD Form 2536 (Request for Non-Aviation Support) that includes guidance on how to complete the form: Sample DD Form 2536.
Requests for band participation should be submitted to the DMVA Public Affairs Office 120 days prior to the event. Submitting requests 9-18 months out generally has a higher acceptance rate.
Band participation is at no additional cost to the U.S. Government and on a non-interference basis with Department of Defense missions. Therefore, military contingencies and training requirements may preclude event participation at the last minute. Additionally, patriotic events that are free and open to the public and those events designed to enhance Armed Forces recruiting and retention efforts have a higher likelihood of being approved by the Department of Defense. If your event falls within both or either of these categories, please state so on your DD Form 2536 with a detailed explanation.
