The music played by these bands consisted of military marches, transcriptions of orchestral overtures and opera literature, and folk songs; waltzes, polkas, and schottisches were played for dancing. Fifers, buglers, and drummers provided field music. Field music consisted of fanfare like signals known as calls. The purpose of these calls was to announce the daily events in camp, as well as relay orders on the battlefield.
Musicians were considered non-combatants and did not normally carry arms. Their uniforms were adorned with distinctive piping to identify them as non-combatants. Some field commanders recognized that field musicians relayed orders. Therefore, to disrupt the comand and control, field musicians became targets. As the war progressed, the musicians that survived did not wear piping on their uniforms. As the battle raged, musicians grounded their instruments and became stretcher-bearers and surgeon's assistants. The military band continues to be a source of pride and heritage for military units around the world.
The Logan Guard
C/O Richard Long
PO Box 52
Houtzdale, PA 16651
email: [email protected]
webmaster: [email protected]
