Hail to the Chief Protocol
"Hail to the Chief" is the official musical tribute to the President of the United States, designated as such by the Department of Defense in 1954. The song is used to announce the President's arrival at all official ceremonies and cannot be played as a tribute to any other dignitary.
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History
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The song was originally titled "Wreaths for the Chieftain," written by James Sanderson with lyrics taken from Sir Walter Scott's "Lady of the Lake." It was first played as a tribute to a living president in 1828 for John Quincy Adams, and it became the standard presidential musical tribute during James K. Polk's presidency from 1845 to 1849.
Ruffles and Flourishes
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"Ruffles and Flourishes" is played to announce the arrival of a dignitary during American governmental ceremonies and precedes "Hail to the Chief" when the President makes an entrance. Protocol mandates that "Ruffles and Flourishes" be played four times to underscore the President's importance.
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Ceremonial Protocol
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The President, Secretary of State and Chief of the Secret Service can order "Hail to the Chief" to be played during an event to give the President and his party time to take their places. If a ceremony calls for more than one musical tribute to the President, "The Star Spangled Banner" may be used in addition to "Hail to the Chief."
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References
- Discovery Education: Lesson Plans Library: Hail to the Chief
- DTIC Online: Department of Defense: Instruction Number 1005.4: Protocol: Subject: Performance of "The Star Spangled Banner," Foreign National Anthems, and "Hail to the Chief" by Service Bands
- U.S. Department of Defense: News: Customs of Military Funerals Reflect History, Tradition
- "Slate"; Why "Hail to the Chief? How it Became the Presidential Song"; Andy Bowers; January, 2005
Resources
- Photo Credit brass band image by Arkady Chubykin from Fotolia.com
