Indian Army Chief's Band

The Indian Army Chief's Band is the Indian Army's full-time music band. It was founded in 1990 as the official band of the Indian Army and the foremost in the armed forces. It also, as its name implies, represents the Chief of the Army Staff at events involving the COAS's presence. The band represents India in most important state events held in the Indian capital. It was raised in 1990 with bandsmen being drawn multiple Indian military bands in order to "retain the true representation of the entire nation in one band". In April 2011, a string section was added, consisting of cellos, violas and violins, elevating it to a symphony orchestra comprising 72 musicians.[1] Outside of the Indian Army, it has also represented the Indian nation at various military music festivals in France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and Bangladesh.[2]

Indian Army Chief's Band
The band during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Active1990 (1990)
Country India
Branch Indian Army
Size44 members
Part ofHeadquarters, Indian Army
Garrison/HQNew Delhi
MarchQuick: Qadam Qadam Badaye Ja
Slow: Samman Guard
Commanders
Current
commander		Warrant Officer 2 Suresh Kumar Sharma

Structure

The band consists of the following ensembles:

  • Parade Band
  • Symphony Orchestra
  • Brass ensemble
  • Percussion ensemble
  • Woodwind ensemble
  • Jazz ensemble
  • Vocalist group

Initially, the band played with percussion, brass and woodwind sections.[1] Today, the band uses traditional Indian instruments such as the Mridangam, the Tabla, and the Carnatic. In addition other traditional instruments such as the Santoor, Sitar and Jaltarang have been incorporated in the band.[3]

Events

The band performs at ceremonial events with the Indian Army, including the Presentation of Colours and the annual Delhi Republic Day parade on the Rajpath. In the latter, the band is not a marching contingent but rather is located away from the road in an area near the national flag during which it performs Jana Gana Mana the presentation of honours by the President's Bodyguard. It alsp performs at state dinners held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, hosted by the President of India for a foreign head of state. It also performs at community events in its vicinity.

Specific events

See also

References
  1. Pioneer, The. "Army Symphony Band enchants audience". The Pioneer.
  2. "Оркестр Верховного командования Вооруженных сил Индии - Проекты". president-concert.ru (in Russian).
  3. "Archive of One Strike Corps of Indian Army in Mathura opens tomorrow". The Economic Times. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  4. "Great Indian band". Hindustan Times. 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  5. "Edinburgh Tattoo: 100 years of citizen soldiers". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  6. Répétition de l'Armée Indienne à Satory pour le défilé du 14 juillet 2009. YouTube. 13 July 2009.
  7. "Indian Army band for Moscow music festival | Brahmand News". www.brahmand.com.
  8. "Army band for Moscow music festival - Times of India". The Times of India.
  9. Excelsior, Daily (June 20, 2012). "Army's symphonic band thrills Jammu audience".
  10. "Army's symphonic band mesmerises Jammu audience - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com.
  11. "Army's Grand Symphony Band performs at Amity ahead of Independence Day". Business Standard India. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  12. "Indian Military Band Is All Set To Perform At The Japanese Marching Festival In Tokyo This Week". indiatimes.com. November 7, 2016.
  13. "Indian dancers, army band on VN tour". VietNamNet News. 2017-04-20.
  14. "Indian Army Symphony Band to perform in Vietnam". en.dangcongsan.vn.
  15. "Indian dancers, army band on VN tour". vietnamnews.vn.
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