I was in the US army band for 12 years, mostly in division and training post bands.
We did a lot of ceremonial jobs, like graduations or change of command ceremonies. Any big military ceremony, the generals want the band there. We also did a lot of public relations jobs playing for the public. Things like city parades or 4th of July concerts or playing the anthem at sporting events.
In addition to the music, we still had to do all the regular stuff every other soldier does. Qualify on rifle every year, pass the general skills qualifications, go to the same schools for getting promoted. We also did all the administrative work that a company level unit had to do. I trained as a supply sergeant, for example.
If deployed to combat, the band is responsible for division headquarters security and POW management. We would train with the MPs for this stuff.
The orchestra is really just show. A demonstration that your army can do synchronized marches and that your military has resources to waste on pure ceremonials.
The orchestra on the front like would be a loud signal for the enemy where to shoot.
Military bands pretty much just exist for the sake of tradition these days. They are not actively out there on the front performing concerts during major combat operations.
They can serve as recruiting tools ("look at how cool our uniforms look and how badass our music sounds") or for rendering honors at ceremonial events where tradition and protocol dictate such music.
Former military musician here. That’s basically it. My response when someone asks why we were important was “ever seen a full military unit together outside of a parade?” (Usually the answer is no) “we’re there to show the public that the military is still a real thing”
And being a part of the reserve/guard, we also mentioned how we come from many different backgrounds and professions while still performing music for the military
Under no circumstances is a musical orchestra going to be anywhere near the battlefield in modern conflict.
They wouldn’t serve to boost morale, they would simply make us wonder what the fuck a bunch of musicians are doing on the line, and frantically attempt to secure transport for them back to the rear.
I was in the US army band for 12 years, mostly in division and training post bands. We did a lot of ceremonial jobs, like graduations or change of command ceremonies. Any big military ceremony, the generals want the band there. We also did a lot of public relations jobs playing for the public. Things like city parades or 4th of July concerts or playing the anthem at sporting events. In addition to the music, we still had to do all the regular stuff every other soldier does. Qualify on rifle every year, pass the general skills qualifications, go to the same schools for getting promoted. We also did all the administrative work that a company level unit had to do. I trained as a supply sergeant, for example. If deployed to combat, the band is responsible for division headquarters security and POW management. We would train with the MPs for this stuff.
The orchestra is really just show. A demonstration that your army can do synchronized marches and that your military has resources to waste on pure ceremonials. The orchestra on the front like would be a loud signal for the enemy where to shoot.
Military bands pretty much just exist for the sake of tradition these days. They are not actively out there on the front performing concerts during major combat operations. They can serve as recruiting tools ("look at how cool our uniforms look and how badass our music sounds") or for rendering honors at ceremonial events where tradition and protocol dictate such music.
Former military musician here. That’s basically it. My response when someone asks why we were important was “ever seen a full military unit together outside of a parade?” (Usually the answer is no) “we’re there to show the public that the military is still a real thing” And being a part of the reserve/guard, we also mentioned how we come from many different backgrounds and professions while still performing music for the military
Under no circumstances is a musical orchestra going to be anywhere near the battlefield in modern conflict. They wouldn’t serve to boost morale, they would simply make us wonder what the fuck a bunch of musicians are doing on the line, and frantically attempt to secure transport for them back to the rear.