Commanding Officer: Captain David P. Gagnon, CD

The historical roots of The Royal Canadian Artillery Band (RCA) you see today are traced primarily from The RCA Band formed in Montreal in 1968. The complete history, however, dates much further back, as there were many artillery bands existing simultaneously from as early as 1879. The RCA Band traces its earliest roots to Quebec City. The ‘B’ Battery band of the Royal Canadian Artillery was formed in 1879. It was comprised of volunteer militia and professionaly trained musicians from England and France, and eventually became the first permanent military band in Canada. In 1899 it became The Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery Band (RCGA).

Since arriving in Edmonton, The CF Band has travelled extensively. In 2000 The RCA Band was chosen as Canada’s representative by the Directorate of History and Heritage for the Kangwon International Tattoo. This Tattoo commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. It took place in Wonju, Korea, and included bands from eighteen countries. In 2004 The RCA Band participated in a week long tour of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Central to the tour was The RCA Band’s participation in Brigadier General Beare’s Transfer of Authority Ceremony, held in Banja Luka. A second tour of South Korea was held in 2004, where The RCA Band performed in a number of concerts and Tattoo performances. In 2006 The RCA Band travelled to Sweden, where they performed at Kungstradgarden and Strägnäs to capacity crowds and glowing reviews. The tour culminated with The RCA Band’s participation in the 20^th Swedish Military Tattoo, where they marched to the Royal Palace playing Voice of the Guns, Glorious Victory and Barren Rocks.

The RCA Band made two trips to the Netherlands in 2009 and 2010. The first was for the Nijmegen Marches. This is the largest marching event in the world, with thousands of participants and over a million spectators. The RCA Band performed at various points along the route, and led the entire Canadian contingent for the final 5km of the march. The second and most recent overseas trip was in 2010, when The RCA Band travelled as part of the Canadian Forces Contingent commemorating the 65^th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands.

Today The RCA Band employs 35 full-time musicians. Candidates for the position go through a competitive audition process, and selected musicians often have multiple music degrees and extensive professional experience. Each musician completes all the basic military standards, such as Basic Military Qualification, the Battle Fitness Test, rifle range qualification, and first aid.

In addition to the Symphonic Concert Band, musicians of The RCA Band perform in a wide variety of smaller ensembles, offering a range of styles for different engagements, including country, pop, jazz, rock, Pipes and Drums, and Celtic music.

In 2008, for the first time in its history, a Regular Force piper was posted to The RCA Band: Corporal Jim Douglas. The RCA Pipes & Drums, comprised of four members as of 2010, now play an integral role in many of the concerts and ceremonies. In November 2012 The RCA Pipes & Drums presented Hail to My Country, a public concert in support of the Soldier On Fund. It featured, for the first time, the historic collaboration of many of the Regular Force CF Pipes and Drums from across Canada.

The regimental colours of The RCA Band are crimson and midnight blue, as displayed on their unit flag, and proudly worn on historical uniforms for special ceremonial occasions, along with a sable Busby. These colours are also worn on the concert dress uniform, along with bow tie and cummerbund, for evening concerts. The Royal Canadian Artillery Band mottos are UBIQUE (Everywhere) and QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT (Whither Right And Glory Lead), worn on the cap badge along with the image of a gun, to represent the artillery.

By: Sergeant Robert Spady