Walter Pincus has a story in the Post today exploring the number of military bands. The hook is a statement there are more people in military bands than in the Foreign Service, which seems to be true. It's also true a member of a military band may get paid more than an entry level Foreign Service officer. (The Foreign Service used to have the reputation of being the toughest government career to get into.) I wonder whether the Reps who have been pushing the idea government workers are overpaid would agree that band members are probably overpaid. After all, how many paid bands exist in the private sector?
I think military bands evolved from the ancient need to coordinate actions of many men on the battlefield. Before electronics, the methods used were couriers/staff officers/runners (Hitler was a runner), flags and ensigns, and music. The trumpet called "charge" and "retreat"; the drummer kept the rhythm for the marchers. I'd love a book on how the colonial drum and fife corps evolved into the modern military band of today.
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