The History of the Mexican Marching Band

Marching band music has long been popular in Mexico.

Mexican marching band music had its origins in the music of military marching bands. It became established in the 19th century following the Mexican-American war, and gained new popularity when it provided the soundtrack to the revolutionary conflict in the years following 1910. It also developed as a non-military entertainment in city and village festivals, and has deeply influenced the Mexican pop music style known as "banda."

Origins

The adoption of brass band music as a national passion has it origins, ironically, in a period when Mexico was repeatedly invaded by foreign armies.The historian Mark Pedelty traces the origins of Mexican marching bands to the spectacle of the bands of invading armies marching through Mexican villages in the 1800s. Spain, the United States and French occupied parts of Mexico during that century.

Nunó and the National Anthem

The historical center of the Mexican brass band's musical canon was the "Himno Nacional," the national anthem. Composed by Jaime Nunó in 1854, the anthem is a jaunty march with patriotic lyrics by the poet Francisco Bocanegra. It won a national contest sponsored by President Santa Anna. It entered the repertory of every Mexican brass ensemble and is described by Pedelty as the most important piece of Mexican brass band music composed in the 19th century.

The Revolutionary War

Mexican marching band music enjoyed a resurgence during the Revolutionary War of 1910, which developed into a lengthy struggle for control of the nation between many competing factions. Fighting took place primarily in the rural regions where faction leaders such as Zapata and Madero recruited makeshift regiments from the villages and fields. Just as every pueblo had its own band, so did every regiment. The war was accompanied by the sound of new marches expressing support for whichever faction commanded the band's allegiance.

Bands in Peacetime

Brass bands became an enduring feature of Mexican life, both in the city and in rural villages. Even in a small village, the local banda del pueblo accompanies most public events. Marching band music accompanies many Mexican festivals, municipal events, private parties and weddings. A banda del pueblo in 2010 may play more than one engagement every week of the year.

Banda Music

Brass instruments are important in Mexican pop music.

Brass bands have also had an enduring influence on 20th century Mexican popular music. "Banda" music blends march themes with polka melodies. Banda ensembles feature brass and percussion like marching bands, but also the harmonium, a bellow-powered keyboard instrument similar to an accordion. Star acts like Banda el Recodo helped maintain marching music as a popular form in Mexico.

References

• "Musical Ritual in Mexico City"; Mark Pedelty; 2004