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First American Military Band in the Colonies
The artillery regiment commanded by Col. Benjamin Franklin, marched with more than 1,000 men accompanied by fife-players and other musicians. This marks the first recorded appearance of an American military band in the colonies. -
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. -
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 Solider-Musician
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 1830's, the size and sound of the bands changed drastically. Brass instruments now played the melodies once reserved for woodwinds. The pay for enlisted bandsmen was now $17 per month for the chief musician and $8 per month for each bandsman. -
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. Since Gen. Pershing believed bands were essential to troop morale, he implemented a training program to improve the Army's band program. One of the most prestigious Army bands today is the United States Army band known as "Pershing's Own." -
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. Soon after, the school was relocated to Fort Myer, Va. -
Bands Play a Part in Korea
As in World War II, bands accompanied combat units into action. Bands traveled many miles to perform several concerts a day for units close to the front line. -
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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 Play Many Roles in Desert Storm/Shield
Army bands played a part in these conflicts by increasing morale for Soldiers and providing music for military ceremonies. Bands' duties were varied. For example, 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. -
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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.
