Music has long been an important part of the military, sometimes to announce events with bugle calls or fanfares and at other times for entertainment. In modern times a military band’s repertoire is much wider, including concert marches, orchestral compositions and popular tunes.
In addition to the traditional instruments found in a concert band such as woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments military bands often include the drums and bagpipes of their heritage. The latter, particularly in the case of the Scottish Pipes and Drums, is a very strong tradition that dates back to the medieval period. In fact, it is one of the few enduringly popular instruments that can be played by anyone with an interest and a willingness to learn, which is probably why so many people have heard of the band.
The musical instrument of the military has become as much a symbol of identity and of its culture as the uniform itself. It has been used to mark and celebrate military events, for a sense of order and structure in parades and on other occasions as well as providing support to soldiers in battle. Music has been used to synchronize movements of troops as well as to intimidate the enemy and to help soldiers understand what was expected of them on the battlefield.
As a result of this importance, there are many different traditions for military bands throughout the world. Many countries draw on European influences for their military band traditions, although some take their own approach such as Trinidad and Tobago’s use of steelpans in its military bands.
Most military bands provide Música militar ceremonial and marching music as well as concert pieces, with a repertoire that is quite wide ranging from classical and light to traditional folk music. They are generally led by military musicians who typically serve a term of four to five years. They are contractually bound to remain in their position during this time, but are allowed and encouraged to pursue other musical projects outside of their military commitment.
Military musicians are often recruited from civilian bands, and many will have a great love of the genres they play and will have studied to a high level in their schooling. This is why it is possible to find some of the best musicians in the world serving in the military, and also why some are able to command such high salaries for their services.
Among the more notable military bands in the world today are the two Chilean mounted bands that follow the Prussian model with full dress attire on parades (the Band of the 1st Cavalry Regiment “Grenadiers” and the Band of the Bernardo O’Higgins Military Academy). Similarly, the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding examples of its kind. Elsewhere, the armed forces of Japan have a moderate number of military bands within their ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces. They also retain a strong legacy of bugle call playing as their Imperial practice dating from the Meiji Restoration.
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