The Royal Canadian Artillery Band is one of only two Regular Force Army Bands in the Canadian Forces. Located at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, the RCA Band provides quality music designed to support Canadian Forces operations, foster morale and esprit de corps, and promote Canada and the Canadian military nationally and abroad. The Band operates mainly in western Canada. All unit members are professional musicians in addition to being members of the military, which enables the Band to adopt a variety of configurations to suit the musical needs of their audiences. Ensembles can range from jazz combos, rock bands, and chamber groups, through stage and show bands to full marching and concert bands.
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The role of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band is to provide a comprehensive, professional musical service to 1 Area Support Group, Land Force Western Area, the Canadian Forces and the Government of Canada.
The Band’s Commanding Officer is the unit’s principal conductor. The Commanding Officer is responsible for the creative direction of the Band and all facets of musical performance. The principal components of the Band are the brass, woodwind and percussion sections.
Members of the Band spend most of their time engaged in training activities when not delivering formal performances. Musical training usually includes up to three hours of individual practice per day and collective practice sessions in groups ranging in size from quartets to full unit rehearsals.