Effectiveness of Army Music in Accomplishing the Army Public Affairs Mission.

摘要

Army music units have historically conducted community engagement missions on behalf of Army Public Affairs to engender trust and confidence in the U.S. Army among U.S. citizens. Measuring the effectiveness of Army music in achieving that goal has, however, proven elusive. This study first shows through a survey of the existing neuroscientific literature dealing with the human brain's processing of music that music is the ideal medium for communicating these messages to the public. The study then offers a new model for a measure of effectiveness of Army music by examining a four-year collection of e-mail comments from audience members at The U.S. Army Field Band performances. Theses e-mails, of which 95 percent indicate positive or overwhelmingly positive reactions to the performances, demonstrate clear and powerful emotional reactions such as joy, pride, and patriotism. These emotional responses further show a link to the Army and to the Public Affairs mission of engendering trust and confidence in the U.S Army.