The first bands of music

700 years ago little bands of musicians wandered from town to town in Europe. Their instruments were all wind and percussion instruments. These were not as easily damaged by bad weather as stringed instruments. Besides, the music from them could be heard for a much greater distance. Since most of the instru­ments were brass, the early bands were called brass bands.
Five centuries later military bands were formed in Europe. Ancient armies had men who used trumpets and other wind instruments to give signals to the troops. But there had never been any real military bands before. Today nearly every military camp has its band.

Military bands use not only brass wind instruments but woodwinds, too. They also use the saxophone, an instrument that had not been invented in the days of the first brass bands.

Military bands lead troops in marching. They are therefore sometimes called marching bands.

Today there are many marching bands besides military bands. Almost every college and high school has one. Many towns have marching bands, too. In a big parade we expect to see and hear several bands.

Some marching bands do clever march­ing routines. The players pride themselves on their uniforms. Usually the bands are led by gaily dressed drum majors with whirling batons.
Now there are concert bands, too. In concert bands, in addition to the wind and percussion instruments, one or two harps and double basses may be used.
For many years John Philip Sousa was America's outstanding band leader. He earned the nickname of "March King" be-cause he wrote so many marches for bands to play.