Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific


The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy is one of six regular force military bands of the Canadian Forces. The Royal Canadian Navy band is based in Esquimalt, British Columbia that serves as the official musical unit of the Canadian Forces Maritime Forces Pacific Command.

History

It was established in August 1940 eight months following the establishment of the Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic. Known originally as the HMCS Naden Band, it was formed from auditioned in Victoria and Vancouver. It was dissolved in 1994 as a result of a federal reorganization of Canadian military bands. For three years, a small group of Regular Force musicians augmented by volunteers formed the HMCS Malahat Band, and filled the void by providing musical support for MARPAC. After public outcry occurred, the Minister of National Defence ordered the recreation of the band in 1997. On Victoria Day in 2013, the band unveiled 5 percussionist at the front of the band that would form the permanent corps of drums. The longest serving member of the band is Petty Officer Second Class Michael Savich, who served for 41 years from 1976 to 2017.

Notable performances

In the decades following World War II, Naden Band continued to represent the Canadian Forces throughout British Columbia and Canada, receiving fame for its performances at events such as the Pacific National Exhibition, Klondike Days, the Grey Cup and the Calgary Stampede and the opening of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Timeline

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