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The
band of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery traces its roots to
Quebec City. In 1879, the “B” Battery band of the Royal Canadian
Artillery (a permanent force unit), became the first permanent military
band based in Canada. The band was comprised of professionally trained
musicians from England and France, and was a concert favourite of
Quebecers. In 1899 this band became the Royal Canadian Artillery Band.
The
band has been stationed in several cities in the last century, including
Quebec, Montreal, Halifax, and Edmonton. Active in both world wars and the
Korean conflict, the band has seen service in many parts of the world, as
well as all over Canada. The band has been re-formed three times - 1947,
1968, and 1994 in keeping with rationalizations of the Canadian Forces. In
the last seven years, the band has participated in the “Canada
Remembers” program (1994-95), commemorating Canada’s contribution to
the Second World War. This took the band to Asia, England, Holland and
Belgium. The band moved briefly from Montreal to Valcartier in 1996, and
in December 1997, was officially welcomed to the Edmonton by then Garrison
Commander Col JJ Selbie.
Since
arriving in Edmonton, the band has performed extensively in the local
area. In addition to normal military duties, the band performs regularly
at schools and concert halls in town, plus in street parades such as
Klondike Days. The band has already made two local television appearances,
and taken a musical role in many high-profile ceremonies in the city. In
the past two years, the band has represented LFWA in California, Colorado,
Quebec, Ottawa, and South Korea. The band tours often to bases within LFWA,
performing military engagements, and tours to
all parts of Alberta to play school concerts. This 35 piece brass and reed
ensemble takes pride in representing LFWA and the Canadian Forces at home
and abroad. |
