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First Military Band
The first Military band, came in 1756 commanded by colonel Benjamin Franklin. -
Band Members
Military Band members are all war deployment ready, but most of the band members are deployed to provide music not to fight. -
Bands of the Revolutionary War
Musicians in the minuteman companies provided the steady rhythms needed to drill the new militia against the British in the Revolutionary war. Troops, inspired by the music proceeded to defeat enemy forces so decisively that this battle became a turning point in the war. -
Trumpets And Drums Call Out Signals
Trumpets were added to the Army to control mounted maneuvers of cavalry regiments. Drum calls regulated the Soldiers' day, since regulations did not allow verbal commands, and each man had to learn to respond instantly to the drum. -
THE FIRST SOLDIER MUSICIANS
Up to this point, musicians enlisted solely as musicians and were exempt from Soldierly duties. In 1781, Congress approved the plan for drummers and fifers to be picked from the ranks of enlisted personnel. -
BRASS INSTRUMENTS ARE ADDED TO BANDS
With the perfection of valved brass instruments in the 1830s, the size and sound of the bands changed drastically. Brass instruments now played the melodies once reserved for woodwinds. -
Bands In The Civil War
During the Civil War, military leaders and the Confederacy relied on military musicians to entertain troops, position troops in battle, and stir them onto victory. -
PERSHING EXPANDS THE ROLE OF ARMY BANDS
Gen. John J Pershing, Commander of all Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe — discovered that the band music of France and Great Britain was greatly superior to that of the United States, U.S. Army Air Corps Band were designated special bands — they performed at special ceremonies, concerts, parades and recruiting drives. -
Bands in The Second World War
In order to meet the musical requirements of a large army, the War Department established an emergency Army Music School. In June 1941, the Department of the Army established a school for bandmasters at the Army War College -
BANDS PLAY A PART IN KOREA
One report read, "The closer we play to the front line, and recently we have been within a half-mile of it, the more enthusiastic has been the response to our music." -
BRINGING MUSIC TO VIETNAM
By 1969, eight bands were stationed in Vietnam. Bands in Vietnam, like those in Korea, often performed in forward areas. They flew into combat areas with instruments and performed pop concerts or military ceremonies when needed. -
BAND MEMBERS PERFORM MANY ROLES IN DESERT STORM
The 3rd Armored Division Band performed on the enemy side of a berm while the 24th Infantry Division advanced into Iraqi territory; and many bandsmen spent countless hours guarding the perimeter. -
BANDS REMAIN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE U.S. ARMY
Throughout the country and the world, Army bands continue to play a vital role in the Army, whether providing musical support for deployed troops, entertaining civilians around the world, or serving as musical ambassadors of the Army. -
Purpose of Army Bands
The purpose of Army bands is to provide music throughout the entire spectrum of operations. -
Bands in the Air Force
The u=United States Air Force Military band consists of one hundred eighty four active duty member Based at Bolling Air Force base, Washington, DC
