The Atlantic Flute Society

The Canadian Forces operates 6 Regular Forces full-time 35-piece bands, with 2 flute/picc positions in each.  These bands are located in Victoria,  Edmonton,  Winnipeg, Ottawa, Quebec City and Halifax.  The two coastal bands are Navy, Edmonton and Quebec are Army, and the remainder are Air Force.    
The bands perform a variety of engagements throughout the year.  The full concert band performs public concerts either in concert halls, schools or outdoors.  The repertoire varies with the occasion, but in the Stadacona Band in Halifax the music is usually popular, folk, light classics, swing and jazz.  Band members are frequently featured on solo numbers.  On occasion, we will be joined by popular singers or other local talent for our special concerts, and this can make the concert experience even more enjoyable for the band, as well as for the audience.
Another important function of military bands is of course parades.  Many of these are military functions on the parade square.  Others are public ceremonies such as November 11, Natal Day parades, and the Tattoo.  Often the band is required to play for ceremonial occasions with the Lieutenant-Governer in attendance.  Parades need to be approached with a positive and stoic attitude, as they can be physically demanding if they are very long, or if the weather is very hot or cold.  
The band also breaks down into small groups such as a 10-piece mess band to play for formal military dinners.  Light dinner music and popular songs are played for these functions.  Other small groups are a woodwind quintet, jazz combos, dixieland band and stage band.
In addition to performing locally, bands usually spend some weeks each year travelling, either in the region, or internationally at festivals or tattoos.  The amount of travelling varies from band to band.  Usually the band is treated quite well on the road, and many of the trips are quite enjoyable.
The daily life of a musician in the military varies also.  Each day the band has full band rehearsals.  These are followed by small group rehearsals and administrative work.  Each member has an assigned secondary duty such as finance, public relations, stores, library, instrument repair, and office work.  The band also loads and sets up its own gear for each performance, and operates its own sound system.  The engagements for the band regularly occur on evenings, weekends and holidays.
As a member of the Canadian Forces, musicians are entitled to all the benefits offered to the regular force.  These include 20-25 days holiday a year, dental, medical, drugs, uniform, gym membership, and dependants' benefits, to name a few.  Also, there is opportunity for advancement through the rank structure to supervisory roles and even to conducting positions and Director of  Music.
In general, life in the band branch can be a varied, interesting and rewarding career that also provides a bit of adventure.
A musician interested in a career in the Forces would first have to wait for a position to become vacant for their instrument.  Then the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre would arrange an audition at the nearest CF Band.  These auditions are taped and sent to Ottawa where the best applicant is selected.  The applicant should be at least about grade 10 Conservatory playing level, as a general rule.  Musicians are "direct entry" or "trained" and are expected to be of a professional level on enrollment.
When a musician is selected by the audition process, he or she then has to pass a medical exam and a physical fitness test.  Having passed these, the lucky person is enrolled and sent to St. Jean PQ for about 10 weeks of basic training.  Recruits learn drill, general military knowledge, rifle care and use, physical training, map and compass and field excercises, among other things. This is definitely no picnic!  It is physically and emotionally demanding and quite unpleasant.  But it's only ten weeks, and musicians typically do very well on military courses.  After that, the musician is sent to the CF's choice of one of the 6 regular-force bands to begin work at a Corporal rank.  Later on, after a Junior Leadership course, musicians reach the working rank of Sergeant.  This rank level provides a very good salary.
In closing, I should mention that there are many opportunities for enjoyable part-time and summer employment with reserve bands.  Experience with reserve bands is also considered during the selection process for regular force bands.
If there are any questions, feel free to e-mail me via the Atlantic Flute Society Webmaster, and I will try to answer them.  You may also visit: http://www.forces.gc.ca/dhh/music/engraph/auditions_e.asp?cat=5 for specific information about openings and audition procedures.

c.2003 by Susan Kulik

Susan Kulik has been a member of the Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic for 13 years.  She is a graduate of McGill University with a B.Mus. in Music History. 

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