Audio technology offers ‘Taps’ to live renditions

by Darryl Wilkinson

During this week which contains Veterans Day, a decision by the Missouri National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program which may interest you. Our state will be the first in the nation to conduct a 6-month test of a new ceremonial bugle device meant to improve military funeral honors ceremonies.

Someday any honor guard member, even those who are not musically inclined, will be able to sound “Taps” on a newly developed ceremonial bugle. This is just another sign of changing times, thanks to advancements in digital audio technology.

Next Monday, the 11th Day of the 11th Month officially observed as Veterans’ Day, our reflection will be focused on those who served. But today, this new fangled bugle has me reflecting on ceremonies past and also those where I participated.

I played trumpet. Note this is correctly stated in past tense since the time I knocked out a front tooth while breaking down a truck tire (I also like to kid Liz about my pucker power, about not helping me keep my lips in shape all these years, but ..ahmmm, that’s another story).

I liked playing trumpet. I capped my high school musical career with a trip to Greece, sitting 3rd chair in the trumpet section of an All-American band. It was a great experience, but the honor probably reads more impressive here than they actually were. I matured to later realize that the ability of my folks to cover trip expense had as much (maybe more) to do with my participation as did my audition. And whenever I thought I was a good trumpet player, I recalled one of the first times I was asked to play taps.

I was in junior high. A couple of older men whom I didn’t know called my band director to the hallway. Later, the director called me to his office to explain that those ahead of me, the upperclassmen in the high school band, had other plans on the day of the upcoming military funeral. Then, he asked, “Do you know taps?”

In THE era of television and John Wayne war movies, what American boy could say he didn’t know taps?

The opportunity both excited and scared me. I was excited by the offer of compensation, though modest even in comparison to my weekly allowance. But I was scared about going solo …until my director explained I could hide behind a tree. In fact, those planning the ceremonies specified that the tree was to be at some distance away from the burial plot. The sound was to fade away.

Nobody mentioned about how cold weather affects brass instruments. And nobody (but me) knew just how bad my jitters would get, thinking minute by minute how taps would be such a focal point during the military service. So, there I stood, shivering …for more than one reason.

The distance proved a blessing. In fact, I wanted to be miles away. I’m not sure exactly what came out of my horn, but eventually, mercifully, it was over. It probably took quite a bit of determination to really hear taps from the noise squeaking out my horn. I have always felt bad about that pitiful performance, embarrassed to this day, and hopeful that the deceased and his family were understanding. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as I remember; I was asked to perform at other ceremonies. But, honestly, it wasn’t good. Not good at all, especially to those who really lived years of military service with each day marked by taps. There just wasn’t any alternative.

I’m sure such unpleasant experiences have happened before and since. Not every military funeral is graced by a real military musician.

I understand that the new digital bugle is not intended to be used as a substitute for a military musician when one is available. But it will be a dignified alternative to pre- recorded taps played on a stereo …or for an inexperienced, inept musician like me.

The Defense Department worked with private industry to invent a small device that can be inserted deep into the bell of a bugle that plays a very high-quality rendition of Taps. To use the device, a member of an honor guard needs merely to push a button and hold the bugle to his or her lips. It is virtually indistinguishable from the sound of a live military bugler.

Another good aspect is visual. During the times I played Taps, I used my ol’ Bundy cornet. Its valves made it obviously different from a real bugle at a glance. I’m sure if you were to ask most families, the choice would be for the dignified visual of a bugler playing taps while at attention near to the ceremonies …rather than some skinny-legged youngster down the slope, hiding behind a tree.

I know there are many student musicians quite capable of performing Taps appropriately, and such experience is good. I was proud when my oldest daughter, Andi, took her turn performing taps at local services. Chris Henderson, Andy Weldon and Mariah Gibson have used their trumpets in local services in recent years.

There are instances where a live performance might be preferred over the new digital method, regardless of the quality of the live performance. After all, the focus is correctly on honoring the deceased and what better way than making a real effort, for one who gave such an effort for country, for you and me? And yet, having an alternative for some funeral circumstances seems like a very good idea.

Fifty prototype bugles are being distributed throughout Missouri to military units and other authorized providers of funeral honors, such as veterans’ service organizations. During the test, families and honor guard members will be surveyed. Once that data is compiled and the test is completed, a decision will be made whether to expand the program nationally or not.

Jack Mooney, who helps orchestrate the military services here, knows about the digital bugles but has yet to receive any official notice.

The Missouri National Guard Funeral Honors Program provides military funeral honors free of charge to thousands of veterans’ families each year. These honors demonstrate the nation’s deep gratitude to those who, in time of war and peace, have defended their country. The ceremonial paying of respect is a final tribute to their service.

Since the Missouri National Guard program began in July, 1999, the program has coordinated more than 21,850 funeral honor services for veterans’ families.

Locally, our VFW Post performs an average of 15 or more military honor funeral services each year. By comparison, the local ceremonial team involves more veterans than those dispatched by the National Guard. But, as time goes on, it gets harder and harder to man these ceremonial teams.

Jack says it’s been almost six months since his unit was called to deliver a military funeral service. Maybe a digital bugle will arrive here before the need ever arises. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were never, ever such a need?