Military Music

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, although the earliest references to warfare music dates back to Biblical times, it was not until the mid-thirteenth century that musical instruments began to be used as an incentive to encourage the troops rather than only as a method of conveying signals. The author points out that musicians were included officially in the 1775 founding of the Continental Army because General George Washington, an accomplished flutist, was concerned about the poor quality of music within the army, which often rendered drills almost impossible. The paper relates that, in all the reviewed songs, the lyrics, which speak of the homeland, national identity and cultural pride, and the strong music, which flows from strength to strength, enable and reinforce patriotic feelings that produce national unity and a sense of purpose even within contemporary American society.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Sounding the Trumpet
The United States Military Academy Band.
Patriotic Music in Contemporary America

From the Paper:

"While all national and patriotic music generally tends to be popular music, in many ways it can be classified apart because its expansion is mainly due to the presence or threat of war. Throughout the world, people from every nationality are moved to either song or speech by their emotions when faced with national danger. The love of the homeland, cultural pride and national identity unconsciously smolders in the breast of every individual until the winds of war fan it into a blaze of fervor that expresses itself in speech and song. Such is the birth of all patriotic music."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Colonel Murray Green, Public.amc, Online Article, "Off We Go..." The Story of the Air Force Song, 2007. Information retrieved 06/19/2007. <http://public.amc.af.mil/band/History/afsong.htm>
• Detrick Center, Online Article, The Army Song, 2007. Information retrieved 06/19/2007. < http://www.detrick.army.mil/dctee/army_song.cfm>
• Fred Nielsen, Magazine Article, Singing American History. Contributors: Fred Nielsen - author. Journal Title: Teaching History: A Journal of Methods. Volume: 26. Issue: 2. Publication Year: 2001. Page Number: 89+. COPYRIGHT 2001 Emporia State University; COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group
• Garry Smits, Online Article, COLLEGE EXTRA: Hail to the fight songs, 2006. Information retrieved 06/19/2007. < http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/101106/col_5540863.shtml>
• Heritage Press International, Online Article, History of the Marine's Hymn, 2007. Information retrieved 06/19/2007. < http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/marine_hymn.htm>

More papers on Military Music:

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