The Großer Zapfenstreich consists of various components: * Marching-up of the formation, the military band is playing the Yorckscher Marsch by Ludwig van Beethoven * Formation halts in place, torchbearers post march followed by the formation turning into lines * Formation then stands at ease, then falls in to be dressed * Opening fanfare by the military band, fanfare section and timpanists * Report of the commanding officer formally opening the ceremony * "Serenade": up to three or four songs which are chosen by the honoured person (in case of the Zapfenstreich performed at a dismissal), otherwise chosen by the acting military band * Großer Zapfenstreich: * Locken zum Zapfenstreich (Announcing the tattoo) by the drummers and fifers * Preußischer Zapfenstre