Members of the joint military band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army take part in a training for the upcoming V-Day military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2025. Participants are busy preparing for the upcoming V-Day military parade scheduled on Sept. 3 in Tian'anmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Yin Gang)

A joint military band of more than 1,000 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) officers and soldiers will perform at the upcoming V-Day military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world Anti-Fascist War. 

As the largest-scale military band in the history of military parades since the founding of New China, it will be inspected by the Communist Party of China and the people with new musical pieces, new arrangements, and a new configuration.

Members of the joint military band of the Chinese PLA includes musicians from the military band of the PLA honor guard, as well as outstanding military music personnel selected from other military units. The three chief conductors leading the performance are all from the PLA honor guard. 

Members of the joint military band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army take part in a training for the upcoming V-Day military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2025. Participants are busy preparing for the upcoming V-Day military parade scheduled on Sept. 3 in Tian'anmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

Huang Yanhui, head of the joint military band, said that the music performance is divided into five parts: the warm-up, the ceremony, the parade inspection, the march-past, and the finale, among which many are new musical works tailored for this parade. In addition, the joint band has four features. 

First, the "War of Resistance" theme is highlighted. In terms of arrangement, 14 formations will symbolize the 14-year-long course of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and 80 buglers will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance. In terms of repertoire, the warm-up session will present a medley of 4 songs about the War of Resistance, and the march-past segment will showcase a newly composed piece for the "Victory in the War of Resistance" theme. 

The joint military band will also reflect the characteristics of the times. When the equipment formations and aerial echelons pass by, some new military march pieces have been created according to the characteristics of various military arms of services, demonstrating the people's military's new image and force structure in the new era.

Performance will also be innovated. The proportion of woodwind instrument section has been expanded; bugles, brass instruments, and percussion combinations are creatively combined to enhance the sense of profundity and splendor of the music; performance movements are designed to enrich musical expression and enhance the audio-visual effect.

Members of the joint military band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army take part in a training for the upcoming V-Day military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2025. Participants are busy preparing for the upcoming V-Day military parade scheduled on Sept. 3 in Tian'anmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

The music will enhance the ceremonial atmosphere: Musical pieces such as Bugle Call for Salute, Bugle Call for Parade Inspection, and Bugle Call for March-past are used to distinguish different procedures of the parade, creating a solemn and ceremonial atmosphere.

This parade marks the 18th time that a joint military band has been assembled since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. 

The massive V-Day parade is scheduled for September 3 in Tian'anmen Square. 

Global Times