Music Maintains Morale

Red, white and blue background with white and black text and an illustration of a piano and of piano keys 

The phrase, “Music Maintains Morale,” emerged in 1918 as a slogan for piano manufacturers and musicians to show their enthusiasm for war bonds. At this time, these manufacturers sold war bonds in their stores to show their support. The slogan was used in the New York Library Loan Concert at Carnegie Hall in 1918 as a demonstrative of the practical power of music, which went on to raise $4,302,000. The phrase referred to the idea that music roused latent patriotism and revived the spirits of listeners. Ads displayed the slogan to encourage Americans to buy liberty bonds as well pianos during WWI.

The slogan reemerged during 1942 when the theme was used to inspire morale among the American public during Music Week. Schools and churches had special programs to recognize the service that music rendered to listeners. Music shops and piano manufacturers once again featured the slogan in their ads during this time.