: All eight musicians chose to stay and play as the ship tilted and lifeboats filled; none of them survived.

"Nearer, My God, to Thee" is widely recognized as the final piece of music played by the ship's eight-member band as the sank on April 15, 1912. While historical accounts differ on whether it was the absolute last song, it remains the most iconic symbol of the musicians' bravery and calm in the face of disaster. The Legend of the Titanic Band

: Hartley once told a friend that if he were ever on a sinking ship, he would likely play "Nearer, My God, to Thee". His body was later recovered with his violin case still strapped to him. Musical Variations

Led by bandleader , the musicians were hired by an agency and were not technically ship employees. As the evacuation began, they gathered on deck to play music—initially upbeat ragtime—to help keep passengers calm and prevent panic.