The National Band of the Naval Reserve (NBNR) () is a
military band of the
Royal Canadian Navy currently based in the Naval Museum of Quebec at the Naval Reserve Headquarters (NAVRESHQ) of the
Canadian Forces Naval Reserve
The Naval Reserve (NAVRES, french: link=no, Réserve navale) is the Primary Reserve component of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The primary mission of the NAVRES is to force generate sailors and teams for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations, inc ...
in
Quebec City. Being a reservist band, it is usually at full composition during the summer months, acting as a touring band composed of musicians from the following six active reserve bands:
*HMCS ''Chippawa'' Band (
Winnipeg)
*HMCS ''Donnacona'' Band (
Montreal)
*HMCS ''Montcalm'' Band (
Quebec City)
*HMCS ''Star'' Band (
Hamilton)
*HMCS ''Tecumseh'' Band (
Calgary
Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, makin ...
)
*
HMCS ''York'' Band (
Toronto)
It is also designed to augment the
Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific and the
Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic on their leave period.
It was established in 1976, eight years after the
Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, with the
Music Branch of the
Department of National Defence Department of Defence or Department of Defense may refer to:
Current departments of defence
* Department of Defence (Australia)
* Department of National Defence (Canada)
* Department of Defence (Ireland)
* Department of National Defense (Philipp ...
sponsoring an ''
ad hoc'' amalgamation of naval bands to serve as a central band alongside the
Royal Canadian Air Force Band and a
public duties band like the
Band of the Ceremonial Guard. Today, it takes part in public concerts and local events with its company sized unit that consists of around 75 musicians who, make up different ensembles as well as the main parade and concert bands. It has performed during graduation ceremonies of all RCN personnel and the regular routines of the service.
As per community and national events, local parades and tattoos are priority, such the
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and the annual
St. Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick ( ga, Lá Fhéile Pádraig, lit=the Day of the Festival of Patrick), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (), the foremost patr ...
Parade in
Montreal. Its joint performances with foreign units have seen It work with reserve bands such as the Marine Corps Band
New Orleans. It has performed for many
governors general of Canada, most recently with a Canadian Armed Forces
guard of honour
A guard of honour ( GB), also honor guard ( US), also ceremonial guard, is a group of people, usually military in nature, appointed to receive or guard a head of state or other dignitaries, the fallen in war, or to attend at state ceremonials, ...
during the visit of
Julie Payette to
New Brunswick at the lieutenant governor's residence.
Notable members of the band include François Ferland and Lieutenant Commander Alex Kovacs, the latter having been the principal director since 1990 and the first female director in the RCN.
[https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/AA/00/06/78/39/00513/08-13-2018.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjjo5uitcrmAhVKYKwKHciwAZUQFjACegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw3EMu7mGcz0QdlIfZqljSbW ]
Standard repertoire
The following is a list if the standard repertoire of the band:
*''
Heart of Oak''
*''
A Life on the Ocean Wave''
*''
Preobrajensky''
*''
Westering Home''
*''The Standard of St. George''
*''Canada Overseas''
*''Vimy Ridge''
See also
*
Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces
*
Governor General's Foot Guards
*
United States Army Field Band
*
Navy bands in Canada
Links
Official Website
References
{{Reflist
Bands of the Royal Canadian Navy
Canadian Forces Naval Reserve
Organizations based in Quebec City