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The role of music in war
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Military Heritage Essay “Taps”
A family cries as the bugle sounds taps, a solemn tune played at a military funeral. How many of us have ever considered the history behind the sounding of taps? When observed, our traditions create a sense of heritage and honor. This essay, will discuss the history and importance for the playing of taps.
History
During the American Civil War, a new melody named taps played in the place of lights out. Although, adopted by the Union Army to mark the end of the day, it also marked the end of life. Taps is the most recognize bugle call of all times, its origins are straight from the battlefield and is a tribute with the highest respect.
Composer
General Daniel Butterfield has credit for composing the notes to taps. While resting after a hard battle at Harrisons Landing Virginia, Butterfield experimented with bugle calls and notes by lengthening and reemphasizing some of the notes to an Army lights out call. Butterfield, wanting to lift the spirits of his men after a morale crushing defeat, ordered the playing of his new melody in place of lights o...
People in America started using drums on the battlefield during the Revolutionary war. The drums that were used in the Revolutionary war are called field drums because they were used on battlefields. Field drums are really just the olden day version of a snare drum with a few minor differences. During the Civil war, field drums were accompanied by fifes on the battlefield. The drum and fife would be used to keep the soldiers marching in time, give orders in camps, and “the steady rhythm and spirited tunes of the fifers and drummers kept the soldiers mind off the tedious march”. The drums were also helpful for when the soldiers were lined up in the firing line to keep their mind occupied. Soldiers said that the music would remind them of home and their friends. Field drums were a necessity in war because the battlefield was very loud and it could be hard to hear officers ...
According to Nofi, “The United States Marine Corps is America's best-known military unit and perhaps the most famous in the world” . The traditions of the Marine Corps date way back since 1775 and the current regulations have been derived from the way marines in the past carried out their day to day activities. Some customs have been incorporated into the current orders and regulations to be able to standardize conduct of the marines. It is important for a marine to know and keep in mind traditional customs because one should never forget their heritage, therefore, practiced tradition in the Marine Corps should take precedence over Marine Corps orders and regulations .
The United States Marine Corps, established in 1775, is known for their production of the strongest offensive soldiers that defend our country. Their training includes amplified endurance, multiple styles of hand to hand combat, and artillery accuracy. Marines are trained to be the steel of the front lines that cut through and push back enemy lines. The branch rose to this dedication primarily in the 1940-50s thanks to one warrior-leader’s dedication to his country and men in his command. Lieutenant Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is the prime model of every marine due to his dedication to service, desire to better his men through training and education, and the instilment of esprit de corps.
the Landing of the Pilgrims to the Close of the Civil War, 1620-1865”Journal of the American Musicological Society, Vol. 18, No.2. (Accessed January 30, 2012).
The American Civil War was a bitter, grief-filled conflict with oddly musical overtones. A Southern soldier, Alexander Hunter, recalled that “There was music in plenty,” (Lawrence 169) just as Charles Frazier’s character Stobrod in Cold Mountain remarks that “there was so much music back then” (407). While both the Union and the Confederacy placed great import on music, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier focuses primarily on the Southern perspective of the war, in all of its aspects. Spiritual music gave soldiers hope, gave them something cheerful to listen to after their days of slogging through the grime of human remains, as Inman discovers during his journey. Songs of homecoming and perseverance also strengthened the women, children, and parents left behind, waiting with fearful hopes for the return of their loved ones. Ada’s continual reference to “Wayfaring Stranger” illustrates this point beautifully. Finally, the musical natures of both armies created a bond that otherwise would not have been possible, forming brief alliances among enemies. The impact of music during this period of American history was so great that General Robert E. Lee was heard to say “I don’t believe we can have an army without music” (Wiley qtd. in Waller and Edgington 147). Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain exemplifies this statement, interweaving music throughout the struggles of Ada and Inman, using it as a tool to express emotion and to give a common thread to the broken culture that was the American South. The dissonant harmonies of Civil War-era music both complemented and contrasted itself, creating new forms from old ones and forging bonds where there had been nothing.
There is perhaps a no more plangent or evocative melody played from the brass bugle than that of “Taps”. The sounding of the song arouses in the listener a sense of melancholy, solemnity, remembrance, and loss; a stirring of the soul to recall the essence of a life lost in military service. Often accompanied by a 21-gun salute, “Taps” as a burial ceremony has been employed since July of 1862, where the notes were first scrawled on the back of an envelope by a Union general in the aftermath of the Seven Day Battle in order to memorialize the loss of his soldiers. The notes have a scourging effect on the listener, leaving one cornered to countenance the forbidding realities of death and sacrifice. Indeed, “Taps”, calls out
The use of music to convey social commentary was certainly not unique to the Vietnam War. However, what made the music so significant was its versatility. It quickly captured and reflected public opinion as it developed, and offered expression regardless of race, gender, status or political orientation. As a result, there was no one song that captured the essence of the Vietnam War.
Colonel Mathew Moten once said, “Professions are not professions simply because they say they are. Their clients, society as a whole, have to accept their claims and trust the professions with jurisdiction over important areas of human endeavor”.
Sousa hasn’t been forgotten, on December 9, 1939, the new Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge across the Anacostia River in Washington D.C. was dedicated to the memory of John Philip Sousa. In a tribute to its seventeenth leader, in 1974, the Marine Band rededicated its historic band hall at the Marine Barracks as “John Philip Sousa Band Hall.” Overall, John Philip Sousa was a great band leader, and a superb part of music’s history. (Sousa)
Military Sexual Trauma, also known as MST. What is it and why is it important? MST refers to psychological trauma resulting from a sexual assault or repeated, threatening harassment experienced during military service (pg. 3). Now, let us take a moment and think about the relevance of this subject? When we think of our women in combat, what do we see? We see strong and courteous females. But have we ever thought about what could be lurking underneath all that armor?
Throughout time, music has been an influential part of society. As a form of entertainment and expression, its impact has always been felt both economically and emotionally. During the Vietnam war, music evolved into more a form of expression rather than pure entertainment. Emotionally charged songs became a method to oppose the war, and vent frustrations. While many songs opposed the war, numerous others focused on peace and happiness. They provided a positive perspective in an otherwise depressing time. Along with incorporating passion into music, cultural diversity increased in music greatly. Black artists became progressively more popular and accepted in the musical scene. This respect carried over to society slowly but surely. During the Vietnam war, music played a crucial role in the societal evolution into a state where emotions fueled actions, more emphasis was put on equality, all opinions counted.
Lineberry, Cate. "The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner." Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian Media, 1 Mar. 2007. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. .
Tragic events occur not only in the United States, but also all over the world. From these tragic events communities, families, and the government decide to place memorials for people that were lost and as a thank you for people protecting the citizens of the country. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Wall, in Washington D.C. is one of these cases. However, what exactly was the purpose of this memorial? The purpose of putting up the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was not only to thank the veterans for their bravery, but to remind future generations about happened during the Vietnam War. Also, the memorial is important to help people and the veterans to accept the fact that the war actually
The camera continued to show the expressions of the German soldiers listening and the camera zoomed in on the German lieutenant staring into space while listening to the English singing. The director did this to show that the German soldiers are thinking of their home and is getting nostalgic by the song “I’m Dreaming of Home”. The camera zooms back to the priest singing, with a sad expression. Then the camera goes to the French soldier crawling to the German trench. He was listening to the English singing and forgot about his mission, but he snaps back to reality and continues his secret mission. The camera switches back to the English trench where soldiers that aren’t singing is watching cheerfully from the side. The camera switches back to the English lieutenant singing with other soldiers, and when the song ended, the soldiers are all
Many people hail “The Star Spangled Banner” as the greatest piece of American music. The audiences of America’s national anthem seem, instinctively, eager to express their respect by embracing the notion to remove their hats and stand up. However, not many people ponder over the question of what “The Star Spangled Banner” truly means. What does it mean? Why does it deserve so much reverence and honor? What exceptional difference allows it to prevail over the masterpieces of prominent composers like Mozart and Beethoven? The answer is fairly simple. “The Star Spangled Banner” symbolizes America’s perseverance, its set of moral laws and ethics, and its history that constitutes what America truly means.