The 5th(BC) Field Regiment Band of the Royal Canadian Artillery is the oldest military band organization in western Canada. It traces its origins to 1864 as the Band of the Victoria Volunteer Rifle Corps.

The Band became associated with the Artillery in 1878 when an Artillery Battery was established in Victoria. It officially became the Band of the Regiment of Garrison Artillery on November 9, 1883, eventually becoming the Band of the 5th (BC) Regiment in 1896. During 1890's the 5th (BC) Regiment band was authorized to wear its distinctive navy blue Royal Marine Artillery pattern uniform and continues to wear that style of uniform today.

During the 1920's, a string section was added to the band. This group became very active within the community, and members from the string section later became the nucleus of, what is today, the Victoria Symphony.

ABOUT THE BAND

The 5th (BC) Field Regiment Band is a unit of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve with an authorized strength of 35 members and is the Army's resident military band in the provincial capital of Victoria. The band operates as a concert band and as a parade band, but also contains smaller ensembles, such as a mess dinner band and brass and woodwind quintets, which provide music for military and state functions as well as for public performances.

During August, the band performs every Sunday afternoon from at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site. This popular series of concerts takes place at the fort where 5th (BC) Field Regiment manned the gun emplacements. The band will be entering its 13th season at Fort Rodd Hill in 2002. In addition to these concerts, the band performs for the public each spring and fall at various venues throughout Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island, and performs at Canada Day and BC Day celebrations at the Lieutenant Governor's residence, Government House.

The 5th (BC) Field Regiment Band participates in the Regimental Tattoo held every second year in November, on the Saturday preceding Remembrance Day (Nov 11) at the Bay Street Armoury. The band also performs at the Canadian Scottish Regiment's annual Ceilidh in March, as well as taking part in various parades on Vancouver Island, including Remembrance Day and Victoria Day parades.

Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 1900 - 2200 hrs. (7:00 - 10:00 pm) in
Rm 308 at Bay Street Armoury, 715 Bay Street Victoria.

Anyone interested in auditioning for the band, or in coming out to try us on for size, either as a Reserve musician or as an Associate member, is encouraged to call the Regimental Orderly Room at (250) 363-3626 or the Band Orderly Room at (250) 363-8203, or email [email protected]. You will be contacted by a representative of the Band who will answer all of your questions.

Produced by the Public Relations department of the
5th (BC) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery Band
© 2002

Email: 5th Field Band Webmaster

This website is made possible by non-public funds provided by the Fifth Foundation. It is not sanctioned by the Department of National Defence. The content of the website, except for links to DND sites, is not official DND opinion or policy. No audio or video files, or portions thereof, may be downloaded for broadcast, reproduction or distribution without the express written consent of the 5th (BC) Field Regiment, RCA Band.