The John F. Kennedy Funeral was watched by millions. MUSIClassical editor, RACampbell was a member of the USAir Force Band. He was part of the military cordon in the streets securing the procession of the JFK caisson from the Capitol to the White House, the White House to St. Matthew's Cathedral, the cathedral to Arlington National Cemetery, and they listened to music for the ceremonies.
The music they heard Campbell recalls some of the music played at the scene. Here is a newspaper verification of what was played and sung. President Kennedy Funeral. At the Capitol 10:48 a.m.: The
coffin was placed on the caisson at Capitol Plaza and the Coast Guard Academy Band played
"Ruffles and Flourishes" four times, "Hail to the Chief," and the
hymn, "O God of Loveliness." 11:00 a.m: The
cortege left Capitol Plaza and joined military units at Constitution Avenue as the
funeral procession begans. Three service bands marched- the Marine
Band; the Navy Band; the Air Force Band. Each organization had an approved repertory of three pieces played during the 35-minute march. Marine
Band selcctions were: "Our Fallen Heroes," "Holy, Holy, Holy" and
"The Vanished Army;" Navy Band selections were the Beethoven "Funeral
March", the R.B. Hall "Funeral March," and "Onward Christian
Soldiers"; Air Force Band selections were the Chopin "Funeral March," the
hymn, "Vigor in Arduis" (Hymn to the Holy Name), and "America the
Beautiful." At the White House 11:35 a.m.: The
cortege arrived at the White House. The Naval Academy Catholic Choir sang three selections
at the north portico: "Above the Hills of Time the Cross Is Gleaming"
(Londonderry Air), "Eternal Father, Strong to Save," and "Dona Nobis
Pacem." 11:40 a.m.: The cortege left the White
House for St.Matthew's Cathedral. The music was provided by nine pipers from the Black
Watch of the Royal Highlanders Regiment, who played "The Brown Haired Maiden,"
"The Badge of Scotland," "The 51st Highland Division," and "The
Barren Rocks of Aden." 12:08 p.m.: The
cortege arrived at the cathedral. The Army Band plays "Ruffles and Flourishes"
four times, "Hail to the Chief," and the hymn "Pray for the Dead." At the Cathedral 12:13 p.m.:
The bronze doors of the cathedral closed and the requiem mass began. The choral music
during the mass was sung by the St. Matthew's Choir, Eugene Stewart, organist and
choirmaster; the tenor soloist was Luigi Vena. The Program:
"Subvenite" (choir); "Pie Jesu," Leybach (tenor solo); "Ave
Maria," Shubert (tenor solo); "In Manus Tuus," Novello (tenor solo);
"Sanctus and Benedictus," Perosi (choir); "Agnus Dei," Bizet (tenor
solo); "In Paradisum" (choir). Mr. Stewart conducted the Perosi "Sanctus
and Benedictus," the Gregorian "Subvenite" and the "In Paradisum"
were led by James Walsh. 1:15 p.m.: The
bronze doors of the cathedral opened as the requiem mass was concluded. As the coffin was
replaced on the caisson, the Army Band played "Ruffles and Flourishes" four
times, "Hail to the Chief," and the hymn "Holy God, We Praise Thy
Name." 1:30 p.m.:
The funeral procession to Arlington National Cemetery began. The music used was the same
as that for the march from the Capitol to the White House, with the service bands
proceeding in the same order. At the Cemetery 2:43 p.m.: The
cortege arrived at Arlington National Cemetery. The Marine Band played "Ruffles and
Flourishes" four times and then "The Star Spangled Banner." As the coffin
was moved from the caisson to the burial site, the Air Force Pipers played "Mist
Covered Mountain." 3:08 p.m.:
Following the 21-gun salute and the three artillery volleys, "Taps" was played
by Army bugler Sgt. Keith Clark. 3:13 p.m.: During
the closing flag-folding ceremony, the Marine Band played the hymn, "Eternal Father,
Strong to Save." Credits The identification
of the music played by the service bands was obtained, by The Washington Star, from Capt. Gilbert H. Mitchell of
the Army Band, was music coordinator for the Military District of Washington
during the ceremonies. The Navy Band
supplied the titles of the pieces sung by the Naval Academy Catholic Choir at the north
portico of the White House. The pipe tunes
used by the Black Watch were identified by Pipe Maj. Anderson of the Royal Highlanders
Regiment through Mr. Merek Day of the British Embassy. Mr. Eugene
Stewart, organist at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, furnished the names of the musical
selections used in the requiem mass.
