User:Chetsford/wpb

The West Point Band is a United States Army music ensemble permanently posted to the United States Military Academy (West Point). Activated in 1817, it is the Army's oldest active duty band and the oldest unit at West Point.

History
On 29 April 1812, the United States Congress authorized the appointment of four musicians to each company of cadets at West Point, along with an instructor of music for the academy. The following year, the first three musicians were appointed to the Company of Bombardiers, Sappers, and Miners - Silas Robinson, Martin Warner, and George Washington - the number of musicians assigned to the academy increasing to 17 within three years. On 18 June 1817 the West Point Band was officially activated.