Dear defenders and defendresses, your relatives and veterans and participants of military operations! On this holiday of courage and patriotism please accept our best wishes of good health, happiness and accord to you and your families!
Celebration of the Day of Defenders and defenders of Ukraine is closely connected with the historical tradition to honor the Ukrainian army on Pokrova.
The history of military brass music goes back to ancient times, as evidenced by the mention of surmas in the Bible when Gedeon the Warrior. During a campaign in the War of Liberation, Gideon gave each of his 300 soldiers trumpets in addition to weapons and defeated many of the enemy troops. So the military leaders understood the great role of music in boosting the morale of their soldiers.
Already in the times of Kievan Rus at the end of the first millennium pipes, sopeli, nakry, timpani, varganos and thulumbasses accompanied military campaigns and were played during the initiation rituals, oaths of allegiance to the prince, marching, meetings of winners, the solemn service of soldiers killed in battle and also praising the prince by his cohorts.
The first mention of military bands in Ukraine appeared in the XVII century. There were hetmans Bohdan Khmelnitsky and I. Bryukhovetsky. Apart from their regular duties, the military bands played at the official meetings (the meeting of Queen Elizabeth in Kyiv in 1744 by the bands of the Lubenskoy regiment), at balls and participated in theatrical performances and concerts.
A new stage in the development of military music was connected with the state military and cultural reforms of Peter I. Creation of a mass regular national army in the early 18th century demanded a new organization of military musical service in the troops. By the decree of Peter I of February 19, 1711 № 2319 military orchestras were established in all infantry and cavalry regiments. Throughout the XVIII - IX centuries they were replenished with new and improved instruments and repertoire.
The Military Orchestra Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was formed in May 1992 on the funds of the Military Orchestra Service of the Kyiv Military District, according to the directive of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As musical ambassadors, military musicians often represent the Armed Forces of Ukraine at international festivals in Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Sweden and many other countries. Military teams, as well as folk groups, enjoy great attention of foreign audiences. Unique national style of Ukrainian music and dance is characterized by the rich coloring and special, inherent only to our people, manner of performance. Another feature of military bands since independence was the appearance of their staff of folklore ensembles, both vocal (trio, quartet) and instrumental (musicians), which actively popularize folk music. Works-symbols of national culture come to the fore: dumas, historical, Cossack, streletsky songs, heroic-patriotic works.
The music of military bands is an integral part of the history and traditions of the Ukrainian land. Military bands enhance morale and fighting spirit, participate in public events, the recruitment of young recruits, and play an important role in preserving the traditions of solemn rituals.
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