Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces

Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces
Musique Centrale des Forces Armées Canadiennes
Badge of the Canadian Armed Forces
Active 1968 (1968)
Country Canada
Branch Canadian Armed Forces
Type Military band
Size 41-piece band
Part of Commandant of Canadian Forces Support Unit
Headquarters Ottawa
Website www.forces.gc.ca/en/caf-community-bases-wings-cfsu-ottawa/services.page
Commanders
Commanding Officer and Director of Music Captain John Fullerton
Drum Major Warrant Officer Lisa Paquette

The Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF Central Band) (French:Musique Centrale des Forces Armées Canadiennes) is one of six full-time Regular Force military bands in the Canadian Armed Forces. The band provides professional music support for a large number of Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence and Government of Canada events throughout the National Capital Region. The Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces belongs to the Commandant of Canadian Forces Support Unit in Ottawa.[1] Thus, it is the seniormost regular band in the CAF.

History

The band was originally created in 1940 as the Central Band of the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force). By 1964, the Central Band of the RCAF became the only Air Force bands in service prior to the Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces. In February 1968, the RCAF band merged with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band to become the National Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, which had servicemen from the Army, Navy, and Air Force in its ranks. It was given its current name in 1970.[2][3]

Activities

For over 70 years, the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces has provided professional musical support for military and Government of Canada events. The band regularly performs for Canadian Royalty, the Governor General of Canada and Prime Minister of Canada, as well as foreign Heads of State, and government. It has also performed at many public concerts throughout Canada and around the world. The band used to give annual performances during the changing of the guard ceremony on Parliament Hill each summer until 1979 when those duties were assumed by the Band of the Ceremonial Guard.[4][5] The band has also toured Europe frequently and has made appearances at several NATO music festivals.

Main personnel

  • Commanding Officer and Director of Music: Captain John Fullerton
  • Drum Major: Warrant Officer Lisa Paquette

Composition[6]

  • Concert Band
  • Parade Band
  • Rotorhead
  • Big Band
  • Jazz ensemble
  • String Ensemble
  • Brass Quintet
  • Woodwind Quintet
  • Cormorant Chamber Trio

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://centrepointetheatre.ca/en/events_tickets/December2017/central_band/index.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/m/article/bands-emc/
  3. ↑ https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/4/7/m15-279-e.html
  4. ↑ https://ingeniumcanada.org/aviation/whats-on/central-band-canadian-armed-forces.php
  5. ↑ https://ingeniumcanada.org/aviation/whats-on/central-band-canadian-armed-forces.php
  6. ↑ http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/caf-community-bases-wings-cfsu-ottawa/services.page#caf-central-band
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