Honors music facts for kids
Honors music is special music played at formal events for important people, like a country's leader, a king, or a queen. It's usually performed by a military band, which is a group of musicians from the armed forces. This music is a way to show respect and honor to the person or their high position.
In many countries, the head of state (the main leader of a country) is honored with music. Sometimes, the country's national anthem is used for this purpose. Other countries have a special song just for their royal family, called a royal anthem, or for their president, called a presidential anthem.
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Countries Using Their National Anthem for Honors
Some countries use their national anthem as their royal anthem too. This means the same song honors both the country and its monarch. Examples include Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Spain, and the United Kingdom. For example, the Jamaican National Anthem is played for the Governor-General of Jamaica.
Countries with Special Honors Music
Many countries have unique pieces of music for different important people or occasions, instead of just using their national anthem. Here are some interesting examples:
Australia's Vice-Regal Salute
In Australia, when the Monarch (the King or Queen) visits, the song "God Save the Queen" is played. For other members of the Royal Family, only the first six bars of "God Save the Queen" are played. For the Governor-General or state governors, a special piece called the Vice-regal salute is used. This salute combines the first and last four bars of "Advance Australia Fair", which is Australia's national anthem.
Canada's Royal and Vice-Regal Salutes
Canada also plays "God Save the Queen" for the Monarch and their partner. If a pipe band is playing, they use a tune called "Mallorca" instead. For other Royal Family members, only the first six bars of "God Save the Queen" are played. The Governor General and lieutenant governors have their own "Salute to the Governor General/Lieutenant Governor," often called the Vice Regal Salute. This combines the first six bars of "God Save The Queen" with parts of "O Canada", the national anthem.
Unique European Honors Music
- In Denmark, the Monarch is honored with "Kong Christian stod ved højen mast", which means "King Christian stood by the lofty mast".
- Finland uses "Porilaisten marssi" ("March of the people from Pori") for the Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, who is usually the President.
- Luxembourg's Monarch is honored with a special version of "Wilhelmus", which is also the national anthem of the Netherlands.
- Norway's Monarch has "Kongesangen" ("The King's Song"), which uses the same tune as "God Save the Queen".
Special Music in Asia and the Pacific
- The President of the Philippines is honored with "Mabuhay". The word mabuhay means "long live".
- In Thailand, the Monarch and crown prince are honored with "Phleng Sansoen Phra Barami". This song was once the national anthem and is still played before movies in cinemas. Different songs are played for other members of the royal family and even for the Prime Minister or provincial governors in very formal situations.
Honors Music in the United States
The United States has several different pieces of honors music:
- The President is honored with "Hail to the Chief".
- The Vice President is honored with "Hail Columbia".
- High-ranking officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard each have their own specific "Honors March" played for them.
