Military music - the universal language

Everyone has been caught in a maelstrom of emotions after watching videos from conflict zone in the Middle East.

Then came November 18 and the mass band performed for the march past and the atmosphere was filled with nostalgia and inspiration. The military music has its own impact on the mood.

The parade reminded us of the officers who live their lives with discipline and determination, and most importantly in unity. Their synchronization teaches us the importance of the ability to think as a unit.

We as societies have been increasingly becoming individualistic. We don’t seem to have even patience to adjust with family members at times and so you can imagine coming together to perform in the band and march together. What it indicates is discipline where we have the ability to overrule our own whims and fancies.

“I don’t feel like,” is something we often hear ourselves saying. But for the individuals in the armed forces there is probably nothing called comfort zone. They are not just controlling their body, but most importantly the mind. Another important factor is their preparedness for celebration or security.

The civilians may be result oriented. We would want to see the results of what we are doing, where as in the armed forces and security they need to be in their best form everyday. The very fact that they are in uniform shows that they are united, while we want to portray our individuality even through our attire. Interestingly our clothes can tell a lot about us. We often reveal our personality through the designs and colours we choose to wear. The communication experts say that almost 80 per cent of their judgement is done when the person walks into the room. But when everyone is in uniform we cannot judge them that easily.

'Our will' we think is our biggest strength but the real sacrifice is when our mind is so convinced in one way but you are able to overrule your mind’s cravings. Taking orders and adjusting with others as well as accepting the hierarchy requires many qualities and training. What it finally does is attain the quality of dependability.

A quote from Clint Eastwood says, “Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power.”

And so on November 18, we listened to the military music at the military parade in Adam. Military music of Oman has been an added asset of Oman’s Modern Renaissance.

Earlier this year in May, the military music band participated in the Music Festival of Klagenfurt, Austria. The joint military music band of Oman consists of the Royal Army of Oman, the Royal Air Force of Oman and the Royal Navy of Oman. At this event, the joint Omani military music was the only Arab band that participated in the music festival.

There are however bands in all the military divisions including the Royal Guard of Oman and the Royal Oman Police. An interesting experience is watching the mounted music band. In July, the Sultanate of Oman made its presence felt represented by the Royal Cavalry of the Royal Court Affairs and the Royal Guard of Oman at the Tatto Basel 2023 Military Music Show held in Basel, Swiss Confederation. It was a treat as they presented Oman, Arabic and international music on purebred Arabian horses.

The Royal Guard of Oman’s band is considered the senior most military band of the Oman’s armed forces. A performance one must experience is by the Jazz band.

For the first time ever the Military Band of the Royal Guard and the Special Arts Troupe of the Sultanate of Oman had taken part in the XI International Military Music Festival “Spasskaya Tower” held in Moscow on Red Square from August 24 till September 2 in 2018. They have travelled far and wide across and are unique ambassadors of the country because they speak the language of music, the universal language.