Central Military Band of the Latvian National Armed Forces

Central Military Band of the Latvian National Armed Forces
Military Band
Native name Latvijas Nacionālo bruņoto spēku Centrālais militārais orķestris
Short name NAF Staff Band
Founded 1991 (1991)
Location Riga, Latvia
Principal conductor Dainis Vuskans[1]

The Central Military Band of the Latvian National Armed Forces also known as the NAF Staff band is the central military band of the Latvian National Armed Forces Staff Battalion. It is the largest military band in Latvia.

History

On February 6, 1919, Captain Ludvigs Bolšteins, commander of the newly formed Latvian Army ordered company No.11 of the Latvian Army to form a band composed of 11 volunteers. This was considered the first military band of independent Latvia.

As the country regained its independence, in December 1991, a group of military musicians with years of experience in Soviet military bands reestablished the band as part of the Staff Battalion on the basis of the Headquarters Staff Band of the Baltic Military District during the long Soviet occupation. Dainis Vuskans was immediately invited to become the band's first conductor.[2] On January 3, 1992, the band made its first performance at the Latvian War Museum. Since then, the band has grown into a professional group of military musicians.

It has taken part in receptions for Bill Clinton and the Pope in Riga. Foreign conductors have contributed to the development of the band. The NAF Staff band has represented Latvia in several international brass band festivals in many European countries such as Lithuania, Italy, and Belgium.[3] On September 15, 2009, the band joined the Latvian National Armed Forces Staff Battalion.[4][5]

Purpose

The main purposes of the band are to:

  • Play the national anthems of foreign countries during the state visits of high-ranking foreign officials.
  • Take part in the accreditation of ambassadors in Riga Castle
  • Play during parades and celebrations of national holidays

Cooperation

Several foreign conductors have contributed to the professional growth of the band with concerts prepared and conducted by bandmasters from different countries.

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://riga2014.org/rus/news/45730-muzykant-v-poghonakh-rukovoditiel-orkiestra-nvs-dainis-vushkans
  2. ↑ http://latgaleslaiks.lv/raksti/2016-12-27-dirigents-un-pulkvezleitnants-dainis-vuskans-no-ilukstes
  3. ↑ http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/latest-news/8638-ambassador-astra-kurme-meets-with-lnaf-headquarters-brass-band-in-modena-italy
  4. ↑ "Nacionālie bruņotie spēki". mil.lv. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  5. ↑ "CONCERT BY THE LATVIAN NATIONAL ARMED FORCES ORCHESTRA AND BIG BAND - Koncertzāle 'Lielais dzintars'". lielaisdzintars.lv. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  6. ↑ "Latvian Conductor holds master classes for Georgia`s military band - News". MOD.GOV.GE. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  7. ↑ Central Band performs in Latvia
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