Leader of the Marine Band from 1855 to 1871, Francis Scala was born in Naples, Italy, in 1819. He was about twenty years of age when he went aboard the old Brandywine of the Mediterranean fleet, in 1841, and enlisted as a third-class musician The vessel was in the Bay of Naples at the time and Scala was soon playing a clarinet in the band. After serving but one month on the Brandywine Scala was placed in charge of the band. Toward the end of the year the Brandywine returned home, and Scala secured his discharge at Norfolk. From Norfolk he went to Baltimore, and finally came to Washington. He soon secured a place in the Marine Band. The band at that time was only a small organization, consisting of ten or twelve members enlisted as fifers or drummers. In 1842 Scala was made leader of the band, and found it in a terrible condition. It represented almost every civilized country on the globe. Scala, managed to do well with the little material allotted him, however, and soon built up a magnificent organization. He introduced the custom of giving open-air concerts at the Capitol and White House He played with his band at the inaugurations of all the Presidents after Tyler. The great event of the band's history was during the visit of the Prince of Wales to this country, when the band played for the nation's guests every day. He retired from the Marine Band in 1871, after having served thirty years. During the time he was connected with the band Scala wrote many musical compositions, and attained some prominence as a composer. It was during the time he conducted the band that John Philip Sousa was enlisted as one of the musicians.

In November 1863, Scala and the Marine Band accompanied President Lincoln to Gettysburg and played during the ceremony at the dedication of the cemetery there.