Music and song have had an impact throughout time and the Civil War was no exception. During the Civil War, music and musical instruments served a practical purpose. Drums were used to keep soldiers in line. Fifes were popular instruments because they could be heard over cannon noise. And bugles were used as a way to issue commands. Songs from the Civil War served many purposes. They were used to tell stories, be it a soldier's or a slave's. Certain songs were used to inspire troops, while other songs were about a soldier missing home or about people at home missing a soldier. The Civil War was a turbulent time in American history and much was lost. Fortunately, most of the music and songs survived.

Here is an unusual military band CD. The 37 selections are divided into Marches by the US Marine Band and the US Army Band, Americana by the US Navy Band and Sea Chanters chorus, the USAF Band and Singing Sergeants and the US Army Band and Chorus, Family, Ceremonial where the US Coast Guard Band is added and finally a section called Bugle Calls where all the famous calls are recorded including Reveille, First Call, Assembly, Attention, Tattoo and Taps. The Marches include all the most popular ones, while Americana includes The Liberty Fanfare, Amazing Grace, God Bless the USA and America the Beautiful, among others. The section called Ceremonial includes everything from the National Anthem to the US Public Health Service March.