It is also considered to be the official musical ambassador for the District of Columbia Army National Guard of which it is a part of.

The band operates under the command of Chief Warrant Officer Sheila Klotz, the Director of all Army National Guard Bands, and First Sergeant Brian Jones, an Assistant Professor at George Mason University.

The 257th Army Band's history goes back to Corcoran Cadets militia which operated in D.C. in the 1800s.

Despite it being in the capital for most of the year, the band also on occasion conducts concert tours to states such as Texas, and countries such as Jamaica.

Since 2003, then under the Command of Chief Warrant Officer Sheila M Klotz, the band takes part as the lead off unit in the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue, leading the joint honor guard platoons of the armed forces.