The Salvation Army tradition of brass bands goes back more than 125 years. In Washington, DC, and the surrounding areas the National Capital Band has been a part of this tradition since its formation in 1925.

Members of the band are committed Christian musicians who volunteer their time and talents. Although the band has counted some professional musicians in its ranks over the years (most of them associated with one of the several military bands based in the Nation′s Capital), the vast majority of the players are amateurs, many of whom received their musical training through the Salvation Army.

The band operates on a seasonal basis, with the season running from September through May. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings at the Divisional Headquarters building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. In a typical season, the band will participate in three ministry weekends, have several engagements around the Christmas holidays, and play various engagements in the Washington metro area, averaging about one performance a month.

For many years, the National Capital Band has enjoyed a reputation as one of the finest Salvation Army bands in the United States, and has traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada. In addition, the band has conducted several extended foreign campaigns of 10 days or more, including

• Jamaica (1974)
• New Zealand and Australia (1989)
• Scandinavia and Estonia (1991)
• Russia and Ukraine (1994)
• Switzerland and France (2007)

The band has also extended its ministry through recordings, having released nine albums since its first in 1978.

Organizationally, the band is attached to the headquarters of the National Capital and Virginia Division, based in Washington, DC. It enjoys strong support from the Divisional Commander, Major Mark Bell. The general secretary of the division, Major James Allison, serves as the Executive Officer of the band. The band is administered through the divisional music department, which is under the supervision of Bandmaster James Anderson.