HARTFORD – Following media reports that the U.S. Coast Guard is considering moving its band from New London to Washington, D.C., U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued a letter formally expressing opposition to any move and requesting that a working group established to research the costs and logistics of such a change consult with them before making a decision with adverse impacts on the state. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Band has been located in New London since its creation 90 years ago, and performs 20 concerts annually for the public, in addition to programs to educate and entertain local students.

“As you know, Connecticut has been a proud partner and major facility of the U.S. Coast Guard since its founding days over 225 years ago. Not only is New London the home of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, but also the U.S. Coast Guard Band since its creation 90 years ago. The U.S. Coast Guard Band is a vital part of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the community. As such, we urge you to take into account the effect moving the band would have on our state and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy,” Murphy and Blumenthal said. 

The full text of the letter is below. 

Dear Admiral Zukunft:

Recent media reports reveal that the U.S. Coast Guard is in the early stages of considering a relocation of the U.S. Coast Guard Band from New London, Connecticut to the Washington, D.C. area. While we would like to work with you to ensure more Americans enjoy hearing the U.S. Coast Guard Band, we are opposed to the transfer of this vital cultural centerpiece of Connecticut.

As you know, Connecticut has been a proud partner and major facility of the U.S. Coast Guard since its founding days over 225 years ago. Not only is New London the home of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, but also the U.S. Coast Guard Band since its creation 90 years ago. The U.S. Coast Guard Band is a vital part of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the community. As such, we urge you to take into account the effect moving the band would have on our state and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Each year the band performs about 20 concerts for the public, as well as programs to educate and entertain local students. These events may no longer be available if the band experiences time constraints and incurs travel costs to return to Connecticut to perform, creating a cultural loss. Similarly, some of the band’s musicians are also members of Connecticut symphonies that in turn would lose musicians if the band leaves Connecticut. Moreover, we are concerned that during periods of heightened fiscal pressure, the relocation of the U.S. Coast Guard Band would be an unnecessary expense as maintenance costs and emerging threats further consume a large portion of the U.S. Coast Guard’s budget.

We remain committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of the U.S. Coast Guard and look forward to engaging with you during this review. We request that the working group established by Vice Admiral Charles D. Michael to research the costs and logistics required to move the band consult with us prior to making a final decision that would have a potentially adverse impact on our state. We appreciate your attention to our inquiry and prompt response to our concerns.

Sincerely,