Sports...
In Ancient Greek times, music was a very important part of their culture, including when it came to athletic competitions such as the Olympics. Music was a feature at all Greek games, as with such events came large crowds, which made them an ideal place for musicians to be. They could play their music and be in the public eye at the same time. At most games it was also a necessity to have a musician on hand to control the crowds and announce the start of events. This was typically done by a trumpeter and herald. The trumpeter would catch the attention of the crowd with the large sound of his horn that could carry a far distance when needed. The herald would be a person with a large voice that would then relay the information to the crowd.
Trumpeters were not only used at the start of races and to catch the attention of the crowd, but were also used in the aid of announcing the winners. In 396 BC, the Olympic Games introduced a competition for trumpeters and heralds. These competitions had been happening before 396 BC, but in a less formal setting. This contest was primarily for men. However, over time the idea of musical competitions spread to other athletic games, one more popular one being the Pythian Games. The Pythian Games took place over a period of five days and honored the god
Apollo. On the third day of these games the musical competition portion was held, and on the fourth day the athletic portion. The Pythian Games was more popular as it included women in the musical competition.
“Music was closely connected with sports and athletic games, not only because the music would encourage and motivate the athlete to achieve a better performance…”
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Trumpeters were not only used at the start of races and to catch the attention of the crowd, but were also used in the aid of announcing the winners. In 396 BC, the Olympic Games introduced a competition for trumpeters and heralds. These competitions had been happening before 396 BC, but in a less formal setting. This contest was primarily for men. However, over time the idea of musical competitions spread to other athletic games, one more popular one being the Pythian Games. The Pythian Games took place over a period of five days and honored the god
Apollo. On the third day of these games the musical competition portion was held, and on the fourth day the athletic portion. The Pythian Games was more popular as it included women in the musical competition.
“Music was closely connected with sports and athletic games, not only because the music would encourage and motivate the athlete to achieve a better performance…”
-