A military band is a group of soldiers assigned to musicial duties. A typical military band consists mostly of string and wind instruments (typically kept in rugged travel cases). The military band should be capable of playing ceremonial and marching music, including the national anthems and patriotic songs of not only their own nation but others as well.
Military bands also play a part in military funeral ceremonies.
In historical times, commanders maintained control over their units by use of signals such as bells, trumpets, horns and particularly drums. The modern-day military band is a hold-over from this period.
It has been said by some musicians that "Military music is to music what marching is to walking."
In the United States Army, the band is attached to the headquarters element and part of its duties is to provide security for the command post.
This is a stub article.
See also music
