Posted by Steve Marcus on October 26, 2002 at 11:16:59:
Since this BBS is owned by a military musician, and there are plenty of posts by musicians seeking positions in the military, an article that appeared today in the Chicago Tribune sourced from Associated Press might spark some discussion.
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PENTAGON TAPS DEVICE TO FACE BUGLER SHORTAGE
A Digital Push-Button Instrument is Being Tested to Provide Musical Tribute at Military Funerals
WASHINGTON—The Pentagon, chronically short of musicians to play taps [sic] at military funerals, is going to test the use of a new “push-button” bugle that can be operated by an honor guard member.
A small digital audio device inserted into the bell of the bugle plays a rendition of taps that the Pentagon says is “virtually indistinguishable” from a live bugler. The person using the bugle just pushes a button and holds the bugle to his or her lips.
“In addition to the very high quality sound, it provides a dignified ‘visual’ of a bugler playing taps, something families tell us they want,” said John Molino, a deputy assistant secretary of defense who announced the innovation Thursday.
The Pentagon has been struggling for years to cope with its shortage of musicians for funerals. Families of honorably discharged veterans are entitled to a two-person uniformed funeral honor guard, the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag and a rendition of taps.
With the bugler shortage in mind, Congress passed a law that took effect in January 2000 and allows a recorded version of taps using audio equipment if a live horn player is not available. Molino said the push-button bugle is a “dignified alternative” to prerecorded taps played on a stereo or compact disc player.
The ceremonial bugle will not be used when a military musician is available, he said.
The Pentagon plans to start a six-month test of the ceremonial bugle in Missouri on Nov. 7. Fifty of the new bugles will be distributed to military units and other authorized providers of funeral honors, such as veterans’ organizations. Comments from family members will be assessed before the Pentagon decides whether to expand the program.
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What’s next? A push-button tuba? A full band of Disney-type animatronic figures going through the motions of Sousa marches?