Musica militar (military music) is one of the most interesting facets of military heritage. It has been a reflection of the relations between the army and the nation since antiquity, whether in its recreational use or its ceremonial expressions. Today, it is a cultural treasure that is in constant activity and is an essential part of the professional activity of the Ejercitos de la Fuerza Armada (Army Forces) through concerts, recordings and dawn serenades.
In Ancient times, it was the musical art that served as a way of transmitting regulated orders—sound signals of varying intensity, such as "entry," "charge" or "chamade"—which were transmitted by means of call-signals played on a set of instruments that were essentially discordant and did not fit into any harmonic scheme. It was only under Louis XIV that the army entered the era of instrumental music with a clearly defined function: to accompany ceremonies and affirm its unity through a unified repertory, infusing popular enthusiasm along the way.
The modernization of instrumentation and transmission processes that occurred during the nineteenth century, along with the nationalization of the army, helped consolidate this new musical form and led to the creation of schools for military bands in Great Britain and the United States. The fusion of European military traditions with the musical culture of the indigenous peoples in the Americas also contributed to the development of this music.
Following World War II, the Musica militar number of people who attended military formations declined considerably, as did their popularity with the public. It was a result of the perception that the military had become synonymous with harsh militarism and warmongering. In addition, the change from a professional to a conscription army led to a loss of esthetic legitimacy for the music of the bands and fanfares, which were no longer perceived as representing the unity of the armed forces.
Nevertheless, the need to communicate and the desire to maintain a presence with the population persisted. As a result, the military bands, with their fanfares and orchestras, returned to their former places of origin, where they continued to provide entertainment for citizens in the cities, towns and villages of their native country and in their steadfastly patriotic countries abroad.
Today, the Ejercitos de la FUE continue to be a source of pride for their country. In a spirit of service to the nation, they work tirelessly to perpetuate the legacy of the past by promoting the music of their past generations and by providing a contemporary sound for their future generations. As they strive to achieve this objective, they remain faithful to their motto: “Vendamos para ti” (We Sell for You).
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