Military Bands are to Support the Morale of the Army

Since the very beginning the function of a military band was both supporting the morale of military men and entertaining them in scares hours of free time.

Deeply rooted in history Russian military music has stockpiled abundant centuries-old traditions. Thus, brass and percussion instruments have been known since the times of Kievan Rus’ and were widely used by the medieval armed units.

Following the order of February 19, 1711 issued by Emperor Peter the Great, both infantry and cavalry of the Imperial Russian Army saw the formation of military bands. They were to support marching and rifle drills, contribute to official ceremonies as well as perform ritual, cultural and educational tasks.

Every regiment has its own march, like for Preobrazhensky Regiment, Lifeguard Jaeger Regiment, Kiev Dragoon Regiment, etc.

Winning over Napoleon’s Grande Armée, in 1812 the Russian Army solemnly entered the French capital to the sounds of the Paris March.

Music has always accompanied Russian army in the hardest of times. During the Great Patriotic War wind music inspired military men, led them into battle, supported in the hour of need and gave hope. In extreme conditions musicians made their best to deliver the art of music to every trench line and shelter, support the morale of every soldier and strengthen their confidence in the coming victory.

One can come across various war-years newspapers telling us about the bravery of military musicians immediately taking part in military actions.

Thus, in October of 1941 the newspaper of the North-Wester front issued an article of the following context. “Following the order of its commander before the battle the regiment band marched to the frontline positions and lined on the other slope of the hill. During the attack on the positions near the village K… the band was performing war marches. The roar of artillery was broken by the thundering sounds of the “Leningrad Call”, “Soviet Heroes” and “Red Army Soldier” marches. Notwithstanding the shelling the band was bravely following the infantry inspiring their fellow companions”.

The history has preserved the names of these fearless musicians. They were Chernat, trumpet player and former soloist of the Kiev Opera; the Repin brothers, baritone and bass; Antonov and Savin, clarinet players; Krylov, drummer, veteran of the band and participant of the World War 1; Meshyorin, military conductor — all in all 24 musicians.

Other newspaper reported that somewhere on the Leningrad Front during the attack on the enemy positions the military band was performing the anthem of the Soviet Union, the sounds of which intensified by the loudspeakers interlaced with the clamour of battle.

During the Ternopol operation the band of the 38^th Rifle Division also performed the national anthem. Meanwhile the band of the 99^th Zhitomir Division of the Red Banner and Suvorov Orders sheltered against a big house wall was performing marches and songs that gave strength to the infantry to undertake the crucial attack.