Music Branch (Canadian Forces)

Music Branch
Branche de la musique
Badge of the Music Branch
Active	1968–Present
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Forces
Type	CF Personnel Branch
Part of	Directorate of History and Heritage
Headquarters	National Defence Headquarters,Ottawa
March	None authorized.
Website	"Canadian Forces Music".11 January 2018.
Commanders
Supervisor of Music	Commander Patrice Arsenault
Music Branch CWO	Chief Warrant OfficerHeidi Twellmann
Notable commanders	Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Murray Major Patrick Picard

TheMusic Branchis apersonnel branchof theCanadian Armed Forces(CAF).It is primarily composed ofbandmusicians, and also deals with the selection and musical training of itsrecruits.The branch encompasses all themilitary bandsin service in theCanadian Armed Forces.It is roughly the equivalent to the British Army'sRoyal Corps of Army Music(CAMUS).

The musicians play in brass/reed and pipes & drums bands. Canadian military bands consist of:

• 6 full-time regular force bands
• 53 part-time reserve force bands
• 15 voluntary bands

The members of these bands come from all over the CF, coming from units in theCanadian Army,Royal Canadian Air Force,andRoyal Canadian Navy.The branch controls all RCN and RCAF bands through theNaval Operations Branchand theAir Operations Branchrespectively.The music branch as a whole is responsible for fostering morale in the CF and providing musical support for all aspects of military life and for official military ceremonies, includingguards of honourfor dignitaries.

Directorate of History and Heritage

The Directorate of History and Heritage is a sub-department of the Department of National Defence that is responsible to theChief of Military Personnel(CMP) for providing personnel and technical advice regarding the Music Branch.It was founded on 1 September 1996 by merging the Canadian Forces Music Centre and the Directorate of Military Traditions and Heritage.On 1 April of the following year, the Music Centre was made part of the Directorate. The directorate has 7 sections, with the musical section making up DHH 7.

Its specific roles include:

• Developing and managing Music Branch policy
• Evaluating musician qualification level
• Provide advice and guidance on human resources including recommending the relocation of personnel and the recruitment for the Music Branch
• Recommending the authorization of official music, marches and calls

The DHH Music Staff is the official leadership of the DHH and the Music Branch that formulates Music Branch policy and carries out its roles. The order of precedence is as follows:

• Supervisor of Music
• Music Branch Chief Warrant Officer
• Music Branch Chief of Staff
• CF Music Branch Standards Advisor
• Pipes and Drums Advisor and StandardsMaster Warrant Officer
• Brass and Reed StandardsMaster Warrant Officer
• Music Branch Auditions Coordinator

Military Tattoos

The Music Branch handles all CF Military Tattoos around the country, including theRoyal Nova Scotia International Tattoo,theFortissimo Sunset Ceremonyand theCanadian International Military Tattoo.The first tattoo to be managed by the branch was theCanadian Armed Forces Tattooin 1967, which was the world's largest travelling show.

Traditions

March

The Music Branch has no authorized marches as it is responsible for providing music to the Canadian Forces.

Music Division

TheRegimental Pipes and Drums of The Calgary Highlandersis one of many voluntarypipe and drumbands administered by the Music Branch of the CF.

TheCanadian Forces Logistics Training Centre Music Divisionis the training institution of the Music Branch that offers a curriculum of instruction to potential musicians in the CF.Part of theRoyal Canadian Logistics Service,it is thede factosuccessor to theCanadian Forces School of Music.It is located in Building E-51 atCFB Borden.It consists of a concert hall, 47 practice studios, 10 teaching studios, a library, and four classrooms.

Supervisors of Music

• Clifford Hunt (1964-1968)
• Charles Villeneuve (1980-1984)
• Commander George Morrison (1984-1990)
• Lieutenant Colonel Gaétan Bouchard
• Lieutenant Colonel W. Scott Attridge
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles Gaudreau (2019–?)
• Commander Patrice Arsenault (?–Present)

See also

• Canadian military bands
• Personnel branch
• Authorized marches of the Canadian Armed Forces
• Navy bands in Canada
• List of Royal Canadian Air Force Bands

External links

• Canadian Forces music
• Canadian Forces recruitment for musicians
• Join the Forces Music Branch
• Canadian Armed Forces
• The Department of National Defence