U.S. Military Music History
In the United States of America, the military music was formed at different times. Every
morning all branches play the song Reveille which is played to wake up all the soldiers and
prepare them for their day. At the end of every night all branches play the song Taps as a signal
of going to bed. Every U.S Military branch started their own music traditions at different times;
however, the morning and evening songs have always remained the same. Throughout this paper
it will conclude the history to Reveille, Retreat, Taps, the Army’s Band/Music, the Navy’s
Band/Music, the Air Force’s Band/Music, and the Marine’s Band/Music.
The song Reveille originated in 1812 as just a drum call to wake up soldiers for the day.
At first it was not a song to honor the flag, however over time the song turned into an honor song
when the flag rises (Maher 2018). When the song was originally played in 1812 it was regarded
as “Troop” which was aimed at the rise of troops in the morning. However, not only is the song
utilized to honor the flag and to wake up soldiers. The song is also used as a remembrance to
those who have served in the past (Kirkpatrick 2020). Throughout the lyrics of the song there are
primarily saying for the soldiers to get out of bed it is time to start the day.
The song Retreat originated in the French Army in 1835, however it has always been a
tradition and became the United States Military song to honor the flag. There is not a specific
significance to why this song originated like Reveille. Which was originated to wake up soldiers,
and eventually turned into a song that also honored the flag. Retreat was originally a song that
was primarily used to honor the flag and tell the soldiers to get to bed. However, in the present
times, the song is used as a signal that the business day is over and to respect the flag (Maher
2018).
During the American Civil War, the song Taps was organized to signal the troops that
they needed to go to bed. However, it ended up being for funerals as well since it was realized it
was unsafe to fire three rifle volleys over the grave and the shots could be confused for battle
shots (Nix 2016). The first soldier that Taps played for was a Union cannoneer. Even though in
today’s day everyone knows the song as Taps, it was originally called Extinguish Lights (Nix
2016). When Taps is played at a military funeral it is considered a critical part of the funeral, for
soldiers they must salute during the song and civilians are supposed to remove any headgear as
well as place their hand over their heart as they would during the National Anthem (Maher
2018).
Even though the United States Army was not created until 1775, the beginning of the
United States Colonies Music was in 1756 when Col. Franklin marched with over 1,000 soldiers
(Army). In 1775 during the Revolutionary War, General Washington ordered the musicians to
train with the drummer and the fife majors (Army). Also the usage of music was very important
during the battles of the Revolutionary War because, the soldiers in battle strived over the
patriotic music as well as the fifers and drummers would play into enemy positions, which
caused the turning point of the war. In 1777, trumpets were added to the band inorder to help
control the cavalry regiments. In 1781, the option to enlist solely to play music became an
option, those soldiers were completely exempt from performing soldierly duties (Army). In 1830
brass instruments were added to play in the band and took over the melodies that the woodwinds
would play. From 1861-1865 during the Civil War, military leaders relied on the musicians and
bands to keep the soldiers entertained, guide them to their positions during battle, and some
actually played during battle to help arouse the soldiers to victory (Army). In 1920, General
Pershing decided to put a training program for music because France and Great Britain were
superior to the United States. Ever since then the Army bands have had full instrumentation. The
most known Army Band is the Pershing’s Own. In 1940, the War Department created an
emergency Army School for Music to exceed the requirements for music of a large army. During
World War Two three bands were created for specific needs. There was the United States Army
Band (aka Pershing's Own), the U.S. Military Academy Band, and the U.S. Army Air Corps
Band, which all of these “performed at special ceremonies, concerts, parades, and recruiting
drives” (Army). In 1950, the bands would go with the soldiers into action as close to the front
line as possible. In 1960 and 1970, bands were stationed in Vietnam and when needed they
would be flown into combat areas to perform for the soldiers (Army). In 1990, the bands were
used to increase the soldier’s morale in Desert Storm and Shield. From 2000 to current days, the
bands are critical to the entertainment to soldiers, to civilians, and musical ambassadors of the
Army (Army).
The beginning of the U.S. Navy Music started in 1798 when a fifer and a drummer were
aboard the USS Ganges. In 1813, the fifer shielded Oliver Perry from gunfire while aboard the
USS Lawrence ship in the Battle of Lake Erie (History). During 1820-1825, this is when bands
for the Navy became more popular and the USS Constitution had a 20 instrumental piece band.
In 1838, musicians became an official rating in the U.S. Navy. In 1917, the first African
American Alton Adams became the Bandmaster in the Navy (History). In 1930, the Navy Band
played Star-Spangled Banner which later became the National Anthem which was signed by
President Hoover. In 1935, is when the Navy School of Music was founded. In 1942, the Women
Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service was established, which includes a chorus, drum, and
bugle corps (History). In 1956, the Sea Chanters was created as the first official chorus for the
U.S. Navy. In 1972, the first female Evangeline Bailey was rated as one of the musicians in the
Navy Band (History).
The history of the U.S. Air Force music is relevantly new. The Air Force was known to
start their band in 1941 when World War Two was about to take off (Air Force Band). After the
band gained over 1,500 exceptionally talented musicians from famously known orchestras and
dance bands between 1941-1945. They were recognized as The Official Band of the Army Air
Forces (Air Force Band). After combining The Air Force Band with the Singing Sergeants, the
United States Air Force Band realized that a musical organization could be an ambassador.
Which then led the two groups combined to respectfully gain the name of America’s
International Musical Ambassadors (Air Force Band). The United States Air Force is known for
their song Off We Go. The purpose to the Air Force having their own song was because
Brigadier Arnold wanted the Air Force to have their own interpretation of music (Congress
2002). The song was gathered from a contest with over 600 entries, the lucky last-minute winner
was Yukon-born Crawford with the song Off We Go. Crawford officially introduced the song to
the public when he sang it in 1939 (Congress 2002). An interesting fact that the song carries is
that the first page was carried to the moon by Col Scott and Lieutenant Irwin in 1971. The song
created the word yonder and was recognized later to be in the Oxford English Dictionary
(Congress 2002).
The U.S. Marines Band is the oldest U.S. Military Band created in 1798, which is known
as the President’s Own. The director John Sousa composed the march Stars and Stripes Forever,
he directed the Marine Band from 1880 to 1892 (Arts 2019). The Marine band is known for
performing all over the United States and for performing in remembrance to Abraham Lincoln.
In 1889, President Harrison ordered the Marine band to perform at the White House Easter Egg
roll for the first time (Marines). The Marine band was also the band who was requested by Mrs.
Kennedy to perform at President Kennedy’s funeral. In 2019, the Marine Band won its first
EMMY award (Marines).
To conclude this paper, the music industry maintains an important role in the United
States Military. Patriotic songs that held a high recognition when America created branches, to
this day those songs are still being played. In remembrance to those who fought before the
current soldiers, airmen, seamen, and marines, every day, afternoon, and night there will always
be a song to highlight the honor of the flag. Even though the bands for the branches that were
listed above did not engage into typical soldierly activities and battles and wars. The bands did
hold a significant part in the winning of battles and entertainment of soldiers. America’s bands
are worldly and will continue to hold high respect amongst the branches.
Works Cited
Air Force Band, U.S. “Home.” Home of the Air Force Bands,
www.music.af.mil/Bands/The-United-States-Air-Force-Band/About-Us/History/.
Army, U.S. “U.S. Army Band Program History.” Goarmy.com,
www.goarmy.com/band/history.html.
Arts, Music &. “An Inside Look at Military Bands & US Military Band History.” The Vault at
Music & Arts, 5 Nov. 2019,
thevault.musicarts.com/an-inside-look-at-military-bands-us-military-band-history/.
Congress, Library. “U.S. Air Force Song.” The Library of Congress, 2002,
www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200000014/.
“History of U.S. Navy Music.” Naval History and Heritage Command,
www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/news-and-events/multimedia-gallery/infograp
hics/history/History-of-U.S.-Navy-Music.html.
Kirkpatrick, Tim. “Here's the History Behind 'Reveille'.” Military.com, 13 May 2020,
www.military.com/off-duty/2020/05/13/heres-history-behind-reveille.html.
Maher, Col. Leslie. “Traditions of Reveille, Retreat & Taps Show Respect, Honor for Military
Service.” Scott Air Force Base, 28 June 2018,
www.scott.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1562909/traditions-of-reveille-retreat-
taps-show-
