On New Year’s Day, 1801, the Marine Band for the first time played at the “President’s Palace,” as the White House was always called until it was burned by the British in the war of 1812. The occasion of this band concert was the formal reception held by President and Mrs. John Adams. Since that time the Marine Band’s playing at the Presidents’ New Year’s receptions has become traditional. Not only was the music pleasing, but the players were glamorous. The band uniforms were gay and striking--short, scarlet, gold-buttoned coatees, faced and edged with blue and gold; high blue collars and blue shoulder straps trimmed with gold; blue pantaloons with a scarlet stripe; and brown hats turned up on the left side with a black leather cockade. Each bandsman wore the black leather stock, or collar, which gave the Marines their familiar nickname of Leathernecks. Besides playing at many parties and balls, the band took part in religious services. The newspapers of that day say that it often played at the Sunday church services held in the Hall of Congress. “Their polished instruments and colorful uniforms made a dazzling appearance and their music was excellent.” On their first Fourth of July in Washington, 1801, the Marine Corps, led by the band, marched in review before President Jefferson on the lawn of the Executive Mansion. Because of his great interest in it, President Jefferson was called the god-father of the band, and the name, _The President’s Own_, was often applied to it. During the war with Great Britain in 1812, many Marine bandsmen laid aside their instruments and joined the fighting. They fought in the Battle of Bladensburg and also helped to save the records of the U. S. Marine Corps when the Capital was fired by the enemy troops. It became customary for the different presidents to ask the band to perform many and varied services. Jefferson, during his presidency, received a huge cheese weighing 750 pounds from some of his enthusiastic admirers. He invited his friends to share the tasty delicacy and had the Marine Band play for their entertainment. Some years later when President Jackson was presented with a 1,400 pound cheese, he wanted the Band’s music to accompany the feasting of his guests too. But play as they would, no one heard them; for on that occasion the public stormed the White House, ruining carpets and furnishings in attempts to get portions of the immense cheese they had heard about. Not only has this famous band played for the highest officials at all White House and State social affairs, but also for the first children’s party at the White House which was given by President Jackson. The youngsters at the first egg-rolling on the White House lawn were serenaded by the Marine Band.