Musica Militar

Musica militar is an art form of fundamental importance that has been employed for centuries as a means to incite courage in soldiers and to lead them to victory. It has also been a tool for expressing pride in the military and for promoting the values of the nation. In addition, it is an indispensable element of the daily life of military formations, whether they be in barracks, on the battlefield or during parades and manoeuvres.

For centuries, the use of musical instruments – such as drums, bagpipes, trumpets or other horns, fifes, triangles and cymbals – has been indispensable for conveying regulated orders on the battlefield. It has also been used to announce military events - as with bugle calls and fanfares - and accompany marching formations.

In many countries, a military band is composed of professional soldiers (called field musicians) and serves the army with their professional duties in different settings, such as parades, ceremonies and celebrations. It has also served as a bridge between the civilian world and the armed forces, both at the time of war and in peacetime.

As a result, a broad repertory of musical works has been created for the military, from classical compositions to popular music. During the Second World War, initiatives aimed at entertaining troops increased: song evenings were encouraged, and internationally renowned artists – such as Musica militar Marlene Dietrich on the American side and the Red Army Choir on the Soviet side – performed for the soldiers. In this way, the boundaries between the civil and military worlds were blurred, and this trend has continued to this day.

Music is a universal language, and it has the power to awaken the most noble and most sublime affections in human beings. Hence, it has always enjoyed a special place in the heart of mankind, whether it be in wartime or in times of peace and prosperity.

The earliest uses of musical instruments were to transmit sound signals that communicated regulated orders, such as "entry" or "chamade." This function has continued until the present era, when it is carried out through acoustic signalling, which is usually transmitted via microphones. In the nineteenth century, technical advances accelerated the decline of celeustic music and it became rarer to see bands at the front, although the musical honors accorded to the national anthems continue to be sounded during official events in the barracks. Today, the professional musical activities of the armed forces are conducted in a total of 26 agrupaciones or units that belong to the Cuerpo de Musicas Militares. This work is reflected in the celebration of concerts, in the recording of CDs and in participation in various acts organised by the Ministry of Defence. It also entails the maintenance of the military repertory, which is continuously updated to include new works.