La Musique du Royal 22e Régiment


The La Musique du Royal 22e Régiment is the regimental band of the Royal 22nd Regiment. It is based at CFB Valcartier in Quebec and is assigned to the 2nd Canadian Division Support Group. It is defacto the Canadian Army's official representative band for the eastern provinces of Canada.

History

The regimental band was formed in Quebec City in 1922 with the 20 members of the former Royal Canadian Artillery Band. A year later, the band began performing at the Orpheum Theatre, in Québec City and on radio station CKAC in Montreal. During World War II the ensemble gave performances primarily to encourage recruitment. The band has performed for the coronations of two British monarchs. It was present at the 300th, 350th, and 400th anniversary of Quebec City. The band resided at the Quebec’s Citadel until 1988, after which time it moved to the Canadian Forces Base at Valcartier near Quebec City. Following a reorganization of Canadian military bands in July 1994, the regimental band was dissolved. 3 years later, it was reestablished. The band joined the ranks of the 2nd Canadian Division Support Group in 2006.

Notable activities

The Band of the 6th Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, also known as the Red Guard Band, is another formation in the regiment which serves alongside the main regimental band. The band was founded in 1871 as the 84th Battalion Brass Band in Saint-Hyacinthe. The band would introduce its first musical director, Léon Ringuet, in 1885. The brass band performed at concerts dedicated to the silver jubilee of King George V and performed in citywide parades on 12 May 1937, during the Coronation of George VI and Elizabeth. On 2 February 1956, the Band of the 84th Regiment of Saint-Hyacinthe was attached to the Royal 22e Régiment. It was added as an additional reserve band for the larger one as part of its 6th Battalion. In its first performance in 1962, it welcomed Canadian Governor General Georges Vanier. The following year, the fanfare grew to 38 musicians and began to wear the red tunic and the bearskin cap. On 26 September 1973, the band is dissolved only to be reactivated three years later under Captain André Robert, who lead the band from 1976 to 1980. In 1980 the brass band had 35 musicians and began to perform during the Guard Mounting ceremony at the Citadelle of Quebec. The music ceased its activities in 1980 due to the transfer of several musicians to the Montreal Garrison Band. In 1987, the band was renamed with Captain Pierre Champagne at its head. Today, the band is composed of 25 musicians whose area of responsibility is primarily Saint-Hyacinthe and Drummondville. Outside of the band, musicians can work during the summer months with the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa, the Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic in Halifax, the School of Music at CFB Borden and the Canadian Cadet Organizations band camps.

Conductors