Since 1944, the Ohio National Guard's 122nd Army Band has been a staple of the musical tradition of the United States military in Ohio. Members of the unit hail from every corner of Ohio (plus a few from other states) and are charged with carrying out the mission of strengthening troop morale and building a positive connection between the public and the Ohio National Guard.
As one of the finest National Guard bands in the nation, the 122nd utilizes its resources to perform dozens of missions each year across the state. Citizens, soldiers, and musicians alike all agree that the 122nd Army Band is one of the leading groups of its kind in the nation.
The 122nd's varied ensembles perform for a wide variety of audiences, ranging from military ceremonies to parades and traditional summer concerts for the public. If you are interested in having the Ohio Army National Guard's 122nd Army Band perform at your event, please contact us with your request.
Ensembles
The 122nd Army Band is a highly flexible group, capable of performing in a variety of settings and for differing audiences. In addition to the full concert band, the 122nd fields several smaller ensembles to meet the modern musical needs of the military and the public.
Concert Band
The primary performing group of the 122nd, the Concert Band is composed of all the unit's personnel and performs a wide range of repertoire geared towards the public audience. The 122nd's Concert Band performs during the band's summer tour and for other events throughout the year.
Concert selections include popular classic marches, film scores, patriotic tunes, fresh takes on modern hits, and traditional and contemporary concert literature.
Parade Band
The parade band is tradition as old as military bands themselves. The 122nd regularly performs in parades in cities throughout the state, in particular for patriotic holidays such as Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. Both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals have played host to 122nd Army Band parade performances during NFL halftime shows. The 122nd also participates in military ceremonies such as the traditional Pass In Review.
Flashbang
Sure to leave you stunned, Flashbang is the 122nd's popular rock ensemble. With full instrumentation, from guitars, keyboards, and drums, to horns and vocals, Flashbang is capable of performing a broad range of entertaining popular music, from rock to pop to country — and everything in between.
This highly versatile group performs for both the military and the public, supporting everything from troop morale events, military balls, and recruiting events to public concerts and school functions.
Full Metal Racket
Full Metal Racket is a highly flexible and versatile performing group of the 122nd Army Band, capable of everything from ceremonial support to raucous pop tunes to the greatest songs from movies and stage.
This ensemble can perform for military support missions and the public, and frequently creates unique musical videos for social media. Full Metal Racket has twice won an Army-wide Ensemble Of The Year award.
Learn more about Full Metal Racket
Ceremonial Bands
The 122nd is capable of breaking into smaller groups suitable for supporting military, government, and civilian ceremonies with appropriate patriotic music. These Ceremonial Bands are structured as small traditional military bands and perform for military and public functions throughout the year.
BQ5 Brass Quintet
Composed of two trumpets, a french horn, trombone, and tuba, the 122nd's Brass Quintet performs for military, government, and civilian functions throughout the year. With a catalog of popular, patriotic, and traditional pieces, the Brass Quintet is a small but versatile group that supports a wide variety of events.
Leadership
CW2 Emily Bauer, Commander
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Emily S. Bauer is a graduate of Mapleton High School near Ashland, Ohio and The Ohio State University. She joined the Ohio Army National Guard in 2007 as a trombone player in the 122nd Army Band. As an enlisted Soldier, she completed the professional development courses up to Senior Leader Course and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. In 2021 she completed Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker and Warrant Officer Basic Course at the Army School of Music, and assumed command of the 122nd Army Band in 2022.
Throughout her career in the Ohio Army National Guard, CW2 Bauer has served as a member of the Honor Guard Team performing Military Funeral Honors across the state, Noncommissioned Officer In Charge for Casualty Operations, and on Task Force Guardian during the COVID-19 response mission Operation Asclepius Support, the first state activation of the 122nd Army Band. CW2 Bauer lives with her husband Charles and daughter Gabrielle on their farm in Litchfield, Ohio.
1SG Marc Huber, First Sergeant
1SG Marc Huber began his military journey at the age of 17, enlisting in the Ohio Army National Guard in the Delta Company, 148th Infantry Regiment. In 1999 joined 122nd Army Band as a Saxophonist and rose through the ranks to becoming First Sergeant in 2024. 1SG Huber played a pivotal role in shaping the 122nd Army Band into its modern state of flexible performance ensembles, allowing musicians to maximize their contributions and emphasizing Soldier support, teamwork, transparency, and effective communication.
Beyond his military service, 1SG Huber is actively involved in various community initiatives, dedicating his time and expertise to support and mentor others. He is also a dedicated father and husband, and enjoys skiing, SCUBA diving, and music.
SFC John Connors, Readiness NCO
Sergeant First Class John Connors enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in 2007, joining the 122nd Army Band as a trombone player. SFC Connors assumed the post of 122nd Army Band Readiness NCO in 2019.
Mission
As an Army Band, the 122nd provides musical support throughout the full spectrum of military operations to instill in our Soldiers the will to fight and win, to foster the support of our Citizens, and to promote our national interests at home and abroad.
As an Army unit, the 122nd Army Band and its members are held to the same standards as Soldiers in the rest of the Army National Guard and the active duty Army, in addition to maintaining their musical proficiency. Army Musicians are required to attend the same 9-week Army Basic Combat Training as all other Army Soldiers, and are required to meet Army standards in physical fitness, marksmanship, and other areas.
The 122nd Army Band falls under Ohio National Guard's Special Troops Command. Along with the 122nd Army Band, the Special Troops Command is comprised of specialized units across the state of Ohio, including the 147th Regiment Regional Training Institute, the Medical Detachment, the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, the Selective Service Detachment, Fort Ohio, the 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, and Joint Force Headquarters.
Join the 122nd Army Band
Interested in becoming a member of the 122nd Army Band and what benefits being a Soldier in the Ohio Army National Guard has to offer? An exciting career awaits you — here's what you need to know about what joining the 122nd Army Band and the Ohio National Guard can do for you.
