Music to overcome negative emotions
From 1945, music was used in American Army hospitals to boost the morale of convalescing veterans returning from World War II: it was included in various therapeutic programs like physical reconditioning or occupational therapy. Amongst veterans, many recover within a manageable time period, however, for some of them, it is more difficult, especially when they had to face issues like family conflict before the war they were involved in. Having abilities and skills to support them, music therapists assist them so that they can increase their level of resilience. Notably, music therapists listen to what veterans have to say: how many friends or family members a veteran lost during the war, because of the enemies or because they committed suicide.
Currently, thousands of soldiers are committing suicide each year, a veteran said. That is to say that the work of music therapists who practice in such contexts is not useless. Sometimes, soldiers learn to play music and it helps them to deal with family life: in fact, even when they have supportive wives and children, it is hard for some soldiers to meet the requirements of day-to-day life, especially in the field of relationships, because they are often afraid and do not want to express their emotions verbally.
Spreading well-being and comfort
Music is an ideal way for veterans to release feelings of pain without being aggressive, without engaging in any inappropriate behavior. The change can be radical and, sometimes, quick: from hating life, some can suddenly recover interest in very simple things like eating or talking with their relatives. They simply come back to the present instead of being stuck in the past! And it may happen that some of them are so impressed by their own transformation that they share their recent discovery of music with other veterans, notably through online programs. Such spontaneous healings are enlightening: people who have had to face such severe psychological injuries can inspire average citizens in their daily battles to overcome negative feelings. Without being unhealthy or having unmanageable concerns, everyone must overcome one-time annoyances, and music can give them some comfort.
Let us notice that, independently of music therapy, soldiers always supported soldiers with music: a lot of military music was written on the battlefield to encourage the troops. Sometimes, it was to intimidate the enemy. A part of that music relied on sheet music, but numerous pieces were composed and taught by ear. The most common instruments used in military music are drums, trumpet and bagpipe. Amongst the main types of martial music are march music and marching songs. The largest proportion of that music is commemorative and that is why well-known military songs are still played on a regular basis. For instance, John Philip Sousa, who served twice in the Marine Corps, had the rank of Sergeant Major but was also the leader of the Marine Band in Washington and, as he was a conductor, Sousa contributed to produce 60 recordings. He also composed two famous pieces: ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’, which became later the official National March of the U.S.A., and ‘The Liberty Bell’.