Ceremonial Music Guide

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Ceremonial Music Playlist

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    The Invincible Eagle, National Emblem, National Spirit March, The Rifle Regiment, The Thunderer, Washington Grays, Washington Post March

    These marches are examples of selections that may be played for pre-ceremony music, March On, Sound Off, Inspection of Troops, Pass in Review, and street parades.

    Adjutant's Call

    Adjutant's Call indicates that the adjutant is about to form the guard, battalion, or regiment. The adjutant is responsible for the formation of troops. Adjutant's Call is preceded by Attention.

    Army Blue

    Army Blue is often used in ceremonies honoring graduates of the United States Military Academy (West Point)**.

    Armed Forces Medley

    Armed Forces Medley is a medley of The Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Army Songs.

    The Army Goes Rolling Along

    The official Army song. Army personnel will stand at attention and sing the lyrics of the Army song when the Army song is played.

    Attention

    After the performance of Attention, unit commanders immediately face about and command their units (in sequence from right to left) to attention and then face about. When the last unit is at attention, the adjutant directs "Sound Adjutant's Call."

    Auld Lang Syne

    Auld Land Syne is a popular selection for performance at retirement ceremonies before the Army song**.

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes followed by the national anthem is used to provide musical honors to former Presidents of the United States or the President-elect. When followed by the national anthem of a foreign country, it is used to provide musical honors to foreign sovereigns, chiefs of state, or members of reigning royal families.

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes, General's March

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes followed by the General's March is used to provide musical honors to (four star) Generals.

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes, Grandioso of The Stars and Stripes Forever

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes followed by the grandioso strain (last 32 measures) of The Stars and Stripes Forever is used to provide musical honors to senior civilian government officials (see AR 600-25 for more a detailed list.)

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes followed by Hail to the Chief is used to provide musical honors to the President of the United States.

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail Columbia

    Four Ruffles and Flourishes followed by Hail Columbia is used to provide musical honors to the Vice President of the United States.

    Grandioso of The Stars and Stripes Forever

    Grandioso strain (last 32 measures) of The Stars and Stripes Forever is used in conjunction with Ruffles and Flourishes to provide musical honors to senior civilian government officials. Alone, it is used to provide musical honors to consuls general accredited to the United States.
    It is often performed during the posting of the National Colors**.

    National Emblem (trio)

    The trio to the march National Emblem is often used for the advancement of the National Colors during ceremonies, as well as for the entrance of the National Colors for indoor events**.

    One Ruffle and Flourish, General's March

    One Ruffle and Flourish followed by the General's March is used to provide musical honors to Brigadier (one star) Generals.

    Retreat

    Retreat signals the ceremony that pays honors to the national flag when it is lowered in the evening. Military personnel in formation should stand at parade rest during the performance of Retreat. Personnel in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention. All others should remove headgear, face the flag and stand at attention. Retreat is followed by the performance of To the Color, or the national anthem.

    Reveille

    Reveille denotes when the flag is raised in the morning and honors paid to it. All military personnel in uniform should face the flag and render hand salute during the performance of Reveille. All others should remove headgear, face the flag and place the right hand over the heart and stand at attention.

    The Star Spangled Banner

    The national anthem of the United States. All military personnel in uniform should face the flag and render hand salute during the performance of The Star Spangled Banner. When indoors, military personnel should stand at attention. All others should remove headgear, face the flag, place the right hand over the heart and stand at attention.

    Taps

    All military personnel in uniform should stand at present arms during the performance of Taps. When indoors, military personnel should stand at attention. All others should remove headgear and place the right hand over the heart and stand at attention.

    Three Ruffles and Flourishes, General's March

    Three Ruffles and Flourishes followed by the General's March is used to provide musical honors to Lieutenant (three star) Generals.

    To The Color

    The flag is lowered while To the Color is performed. All military personnel in uniform should stand at present arms during the performance of To The Color. When indoors, military personnel should stand at attention. All others should remove headgear and place the right hand over the heart and stand at attention.

    Two Ruffles and Flourishes, General's March

    Two Ruffles and Flourishes followed by the General's March is used to provide musical honors to Major Generals (two stars).

    *This guide is not intended to be comprehensive. Please consult Army FM 3-21.5 Drill and Ceremonies (formerly FM 22-5), and AR 600-25 Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy for more information.

    ** This is a custom of The United States Army Band, and is not based on Army or Department of Defense regulations.