There are currently 9 main military bands currently belonging to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which represent the different branches of the SANDF (South African Army, South African Navy, South African Air Force, South African Military Health Service) and providing music on ceremonial occasions. Since military bands were introduced in the country, they have played a prominent role in public and military life. Pipe bands also play an important role in South African military music, with notable pipe bands coming from the Cape Town Highlanders, Transvaal Scottish Regiment and the South African Military Health Service. [1] [2] Military bands of the SANDF are also affiliated with the police bands of the South African Police Service. In addition to military music, military bands in the SANDF perform different genres, including classical, jazz, pop and light music. [1]
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SANDF Marching Bands |
The main responsibility for military bands in the SANDF is to provide musical support to the South African Army, as well as indirectly foster high morale and pride. The bands of the SANDF provide musical accompaniment for official ceremonies such as the Armed Forces Day parade and the swearing-in of the President of South Africa. [3] Bands also perform for heads of State and government, most notably the Elizabeth II, President Bill Clinton, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Vladimir Putin. Educational requirements include musical knowledge, as well as basic infantry training. The members of these band regularly make visits to foreign countries as well as host other bands and musical groups in South Africa. [4]
Founded in 1969, the South African Army Corps of Bandsmen (SACB) is the main military band service of the South African Army. [5] [1] It presides over the 5 military bands of the army as well as the NCG Band. Army Bandsman are required to wear the No 1 Dress Uniform, which is also worn by the National Ceremonial Guard (NCG). [6]
The South African Army Band Cape Town is based in Cape Town and is the oldest regular force band in the country. It originated in 1915 as the regimental band of the 1st Battalion, The Cape Corps, a famous fighting unit of World War I. When the Cape Corps was disestablished in 1919, the band continued on a part-time basis. When the Cape Corps was re-activated at the start of the Second World War, the band returned to full-time service in the regiment. Although Cape Corps was disbanded for the last time in 1992, the 42-member band was retained as one of the five regional Army bands and was renamed to SA Army Band Cape Town under the directorship of Major Chris Nicholls.
In 2006, Lieutenant Martin Chandler, the youngest qualified director in the Corps of Bandsmen, succeeded Nicholls as Director of Music. The band has won the best many marching band awards and is widely regarded as one of the foremost military bands in Africa. In 2000 the SANDF initiated a music-training program at the band's headquarters in Cape Town, to assist young recruits of the Military Skills Development System and various African countries such as Namibia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Congo and Botswana in training military musicians. The band has performed extensively at various events, including the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival amongst others. The band has also received much praise for their involvement in the first Opening of Parliament and the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela in 1994.
The South African Army Band Limpopo, based in Polokwane, traces its roots back to the first South African Permanent Force Band, which was formed in the 1930s. The band Limpopo came into being when the former Venda Defence Force Band and the Far Northern Transvaal Command Staff Band were combined. The current Director of Music, Captain Benedict Sibande, is one of only a few South African bandsmen to study at the Royal Military School of Music in the United Kingdom.
The South African Army Band Kroonstad based in Kroonstad, is the regional military band serving the Free State province. It was founded in 1977, when the excellent Correctional Services Band was dissolved as a result of re-organization in that department. Many bandsmen from that band were transferred to the South African Army and became founder members of the new Kroonstad Band. The band was re-formed on 1 April 1997. In 2008, it became the first South African band to visit the United States when it participated in the Virginia International Tattoo. The Director of Music of the band is Major Dawie Fourie, one of the Correctional Services founder members. The Kroonstad Band is generally regarded as one of the best military bands in South Africa.
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MILITARY BAND IN JOHANNESBURG (SOUTH AFRICA 1965) |
The National Ceremonial Guard Band (NCG Band) is the military band unit attached to the NCG. It is led by Music Director Lt. Col. Andrew Strugnell[ when? ]. The NCG Band serves as the seniormost band of the entire SANDF. Since 2001, the band has undertaken the role training of military bandsmen from Namibia and Botswana. [7] : 4–11
The Cape Field Artillery Band was formed in 2005 because of a relationship between the Platinum Brass Band the regiment. Originally, the Platinum Brass Band was a marching band. [8] During the course of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Pipe-Major (S/Sgt)Andrew Imrie of the Cape Field Artillery Pipes and Drums played Nightfall in Camp from the Leerdam Bastion. The band is based at the Castle of Good Hope and is now under the leadership of Pipe-Major Grant Scheffel and Warrant Officer Class 2 Andrew Imrie who is the Bandmaster.
The Drums and Pipes participated in a special parade centenary for the Queen Mother in Edinburgh. The Drums and Pipes have since the death of the Queen Mother in 2002, the band performed regularly at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2012). In 2006, they were invited, together with the Queensland Police Pipe Band and 4 bands from the newly formed Royal Regiment of Scotland to perform at Balmoral Castle for the Royal Family. The Band has also participated in the Basel Tattoo, The Berlin Military Tattoo, Jinhae (South Korea) and at the Cape Town Tattoo, held in the Castle of Good Hope.
The Transvaal Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums is the SANDF's premier Pipe Band. Formed in 1902 and nicknamed the "Jocks", the band is one of South Africa’s most recognised military pipe bands. They have won the premier division of the South African championships on numerous previous occasions and in 2019, were considered the best pipe band in South Africa. It consists of students and professionals, usually White South Africans with a Scottish background. The drummers of the band wear the Murray of Atholl tartan, the regimental tartan, whilst the pipers wear Murray of Tullibardine tartan. The Regimental March, Atholl Highlanders, is a key part of the band's repertoire. The Pipes and Drums are led by Pipe Major Craig Whitley and Drum Major and Leading Drummer Anthony Evans. [9] [10]
Since its inception, the Durban Regiment has operated a military band that functioned to support the unit at military functions and parades. In 1976 the Montclair Pipe band (a civilian band) became affiliated to the military band and over a very short time the pipe contingent absorbed the bugles and trumpets of the military band. The Durban Regiment Pipe Band now forms the musical component at the unit and effectively supports the unit at military functions and parades.
The Duke's Band is a brass and reed band maintained by the Cape Town Rifles. It was formed a few months after the Regiment itself was established and its first performance was in 1856, during which the Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir George Grey, inspected them. It is the only military band in the Commonwealth of Nations to have ever had a Victoria Cross recipient for a bandmaster (Bandmaster Tommy Rendle). The Duke's Band is the oldest surviving military band in South Africa and in the whole of Africa. [8]
As per regimental traditions, the Kimberley Regiment Pipe Band adheres to its distinctly Scottish traditions, which is evident in the uniforms and regimental culture. [11] Its history began in 1927 with the arrival of brothers Angus and Hamish Scott came to Kimberley in 1926 to work for what is now known as Tech Cominco. The following year, the brothers, along with a small group of pipers and drummers, established the Kimberley Pipe Band. Since 1977, the military tattoos have been held to commemorate the anniversaries of the Pipe Band. [12]
The South African Navy Band (SAN Band) supports the ceremonial activities of the South African Navy. The band was originated as the First Permanent Force Band of the Union Defence Force in 1934. Over the years it has changed its name several times before keeping its current name in December 1954. In May 1955 the band transferred to Simon’s Town from Pretoria. After South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1961, the South African marines were disbanded and the band was transferred to Youngsfield under the command of the Coast Guard. In 1957 the band then moved to the Recreational Hall in East Dockyard, Simon’s Town, before they moved to Cable Hill, where they are currently stationed.
The first Officer in Charge of the band was R.S. "Steel" Downey, who is considered by many band members as the “Father of the South African Navy Band”. He served as remained involved with the band until his retirement in 1958. He still continued to work with the band until his death in September 1976. The first Director of Music appointed was Lt(SP) John Imrie who was previously Assistant Director of Music of the SA Air Force Band. The band is made up of 47 members who have a history of taking part in international military music festivals since 2002. This band performs anywhere between 150 and 200 musical engagements during a calendar year with its Marching Band, Concert Band, Dance Band, Marimba Group and Chamber Group.
Past Directors of Music
Commander John Imrie, Commander Ron Marlow, Commander Mike Oldham, Commander Kenny Leibbrandt, Commander Lindela Madikizela (Current)
The South African Air Force Band (SAAF Band), formerly known as the Union Defence Force Band, is the official military band of the South African Air Force, based at Valhalla in Centurion. The band was established after World War II in 1946 by Captain Harry Philips, who was a member of the Union Defence Force Band. Since the band's inception, it has performed at major national events, most notably the unveiling of the new coat of arms of South Africa by Thabo Mbeki in Bloemfontein. The SAAF Band has many different small groups within the band which performs at various official functions. These groups include: Classical music pianists, light music pianists, piano ensemble, trumpet ensemble, saxophone quartet, Brass Quintet, woodwind quintet, jazz trio, clarinet soloist, dance band, and a big band. The band's motto is Semper in Concentu (Always in Harmony). [18] [19] [20]
The South African Military Health Services Band (SAMHS Band) supports the ceremonial activities of the South African Military Health Service. It was formed in the late 1960s as the National Service Band under the leadership of WO1 ‘Stoney’ Steenkamp. Since the early 1980s, the band has offered full-time jobs in the band. The band also maintains a pipes and drums unit, which is commonly known as the SAMHS Pipes and Drums.
A military band is a group of personnel that performs musical duties for military functions, usually for the armed forces. A typical military band consists mostly of wind and percussion instruments. The conductor of a band commonly bears the title of Bandmaster or Music director. Ottoman military bands are thought to be the oldest variety of military marching bands in the world, dating from the 13th century.
The South African Army is the principal land warfare force of South Africa, a part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), along with the South African Air Force, South African Navy and South African Military Health Service. The Army is commanded by the Chief of the Army, who is subordinate to the Chief of the SANDF.
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH[RC]) is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Army and is Canada’s only tank regiment. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of 3rd Canadian Division's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. Members of the regiment are commonly called Strathconas or Strats as a short form. It was one of the last regiments in the British Empire to be created and raised by a private individual, Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal.
The Solomon Mahlangu Regiment is a reserve infantry regiment of the South African Army.
Beating Retreat is a military ceremony dating to 17th-century England and was first used to recall nearby patrolling units to their castle.
The Canadian Guards was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army that served in the same role as the five regiments of foot guards in the British Army. The regiment was formed on 16 October 1953, by Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds, the Chief of the General Staff of the Canadian Army, with the redesignation of four separate battalions:
The Cape Town Highlanders is a reserve mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army.
United States military bands include musical ensembles maintained by the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard. More broadly, they can also include musical ensembles of other federal and state uniformed services, including the Public Health Service and NOAA Corps, the state defense forces, and the senior military colleges.
A military tattoo is a performance of music or display of armed forces in general. The term comes from the early 17th-century Dutch phrase doe den tap toe, a signal sounded by drummers or trumpeters to instruct innkeepers near military garrisons to stop serving beer and for soldiers to return to their barracks and is unrelated to the Tahitian origins of an ink tattoo.
The Nelson Mandela Artillery Regiment is a reserve artillery regiment of the South African Army and part of the South African Army Artillery Formation.
A drum major in the military is the individual leading a military band or a field unit. It is an appointment, not a military rank. Military drum majors utilize a ceremonial mace for giving commands while marching. Many drum majors, particularly American- or British-influenced ones, wear a sash that can carry embroidered badges of their home unit and battle honors; a pair of ceremonial drum sticks are often attached.
Canadian military bands are a group of personnel in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) that performs musical duties for military functions. Military bands form a part of the Music Branch of the CAF, composed of six full-time professional Regular Force bands, 15 Regular Force voluntary bands, and 53 part-time reserve force bands. Bands of the Music Branch are often badged with the unit or Canadian Forces base insignia that they support.
Basel Tattoo is an annual military tattoo show performed by International military bands, display teams, popular musicians, and tattoo formations in Basel, Switzerland.
The National Ceremonial Guard (NCG) is an honor guard battalion of the South African National Defence Force serving during ceremonies involving the President of South Africa, Deputy President of South Africa, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force. It is composed of a guard of honour, a drill team, and a military band.
The Indian military bands consists of musicians from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Indian military bands regularly participate in international festivals and take part in celebrations dedicated to various national events. These bands are permanent participants in the Delhi Republic Day parade on the Rajpath. Today, the Indian Armed Forces have more than 50 military brass bands and 400 pipe bands and corps of drums. A Tri-Services Band refers to a joint Indian Armed Forces military band that performs together as a unit. At the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo in Moscow, the band consisted of 7 officers and 55 musicians. The Military Music Wing of the Army Education Corps is the principal educational institution of the armed forces that provides instruction to musicians of all ranks. Instruction is also provided by the Military Music Training Center and the Indian Navy School of Music.
The Band of the Ceremonial Guard is an ad hoc military band that is attached to the Canadian Forces Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa. All members of the band are fully trained members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and consists of personnel principally from the two Foot Guards regiments and has even since 2007 been manned by a pan–Canadian Forces approach that is inclusive to musicians from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force. The band forms a separate company within the CG and rely on the Headquarters Company for administration and support personnel. In full composition, the band is active from April to August.
Sri Lankan military bands refer to the joint-service musical units of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces representing the Sri Lanka Army, the Sri Lanka Navy, and the Sri Lanka Air Force. The three bands mentioned, which were established in 1949, 1952 and 1970 respectively and are the seniormost in the armed forces. They are composed of many ceremonial marching bands as well as concert bands which are base for the band's success. The band participates in main social and cultural events, including formal state visits and military parades. All army regiments also contain a regimental band for ceremonial duties.
The Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment is the official central band of the Malaysian Army's Royal Malay Regiment that is dedicated to providing ceremonial honours and music to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It is the Army's seniormost band. It is considered the equivalent to the 5 regimental bands of the Foot Guards.
The military bands of the United Kingdom are musical units that serve for protocol and ceremonial duties as part of the British Armed Forces. They have been the basis and inspiration for many military bands in the former British Empire and the larger Commonwealth of Nations as well as musical organizations in other countries. Military musical units with British influence include United States military bands, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Music Corps and the Military Band of Athens. British military bands are controlled by the military music departments of the three services that compose the armed forces. These include the Royal Marines Band Service, the Royal Corps of Army Music, and the Royal Air Force Music Services. British style brass bands and carnival bands were then and are currently inspired by the British Armed Forces and its brass bands, especially of the Army's regular and reserve formations, as they follow a similar format as it relates to brass and percussion instruments.
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