The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces Band () is the official musical unit of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. Since 1991, it has been under the direct command of the Armed Forces General Staff, rather than the United Arab Emirates Army. It is currently the premier military band in the UAE, consisting of a marching band, a musical troupe, and a pipe band, all based out of

Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi (, ; ar, أَبُو ظَبْيٍ ' ) is the capital and second-most populous city (after Dubai) of the United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the centre of the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area. ...

. It is currently under the direction of Second Lieutenant Abdalla Abdul Karim Al Houti. The uniform of the band consists of a bright red tunic and white trousers. The band has participated in several international events in cities such as Cologne, Kuala Lumpur, and New Delhi. When it is inside the country, the band usually accompanies the UAE Presidential Guard in official ceremonies such as the visit of foreign leaders (i.e. Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Pope Francis).

History

The first music band was established in 1957 called the "Coast of Oman Choir". It was created in 1970 as the

Abu Dhabi Defence Force Abu or ABU may refer to: Places * Abu (volcano), a volcano on the island of Honshū in Japan * Abu, Yamaguchi, a town in Japan * Ahmadu Bello University, a university located in Zaria, Nigeria * Atlantic Baptist University, a Christian university ...

Band. It was based in

Al Ain Al Ain ( ar, ٱلْعَيْن, , ) is a city in the western side of Tawam (region), Tuwwam region and the seat of the administrative division of its namesake, Al-Ain Region, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. ...

and was part of the Al-Ahrar Training Center. It was renamed in 1975 to the "Military Music Unit" and was renamed again in 1980 after merging with the Yarmouk 3rs Brigade Band. It was disengaged from the UAE Army in 1991 and became an independent unit of the General Command of the Armed Forces. In 1994 the formation was modified to become a group of military music and was associated with the Directorate of Moral Guidance.

Foreign and domestic events

*In 2013, the band took part in the

Berlin Tattoo The Berlin Military Tattoo (), or simply just the Berlin Tattoo is a German music show that features and showcases the Military bands of the Bundeswehr and foreign countries. The tattoo takes place on the first weekend of November in Berlin ...

. *It took part in the Kuala Lumpur International Festival of Military Music *The band took part in the along with bands such as the

Band of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia The Band of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia is the central military band of the Armed Forces of Armenia. It is currently part of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Military Band Division of the General Staff of the ar ...

and the

Abu Dhabi Police Band The Police Band of the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters also known internationally as the Abu Dhabi Police Brass Band (Arabic: فرقة شرطة براس أبوظبي) is the official musical unit of the Abu Dhabi Police in the United Arab Emi ...

. *35-musicians from the band along with a 149-member tri-service contingent UAE Presidential Guard marched on the Rajpath in the presence of Sultan Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Pranab Mukherjee during the

Delhi Republic Day parade The Delhi Republic Day parade is the largest and most important of the parades marking the Republic Day (India), Republic Day celebrations in India. The parade takes place every year on 26 January at Rajpath, New Delhi. It is the main attractio ...

of 2017. *In June 2018, the band took part in the Beating Retreat ceremony on Horse Guards Parade in London by the Bands of the Household Division.

References

{{Reflist Emirati musical groups Military bands Musical groups established in 1970 Military units and formations established in 1970 Military of the United Arab Emirates

History

Foreign and domestic events

See also

References