The 5th (BC) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery Band is an authorized band of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve. It is the Land Force's resident military band in the provincial capital of Victoria, the only Reserve Military Band on Vancouver Island, and has the distinction of being the oldest continuously operational military band organization in western Canada. It appears primarily as both a concert band and parade band, but also contains smaller ensembles such as a brass and woodwind quintet, a mess dinner band and a dance band, all of which provide musical support for military functions, state functions and public performances.

The band currently consists of both Canadian Forces Primary Reservists and Associate members. Reservists commit themselves to join, train and serve on a part-time basis with the Canadian Forces. Associates are civilian and, in some cases, military volunteers from the community who donate their time and skills in exchange for the opportunity to perform with a high-quality band in a variety of settings not usually open to civilian ensembles. When they are not working with the band, our members are students, professionals, musicians, civil servants, nurses, bookkeepers, dog-groomers, and teachers.

The band is most active during the months of September to June, with rehearsals being held one night per week. In the past, the band has opened its performing season with a very popular appearance at the Cameron Bandshell in September, in Beacon Hill Park. This is normally followed by preparation for other engagements such as Bandfest, put on by the Victoria Military Music Festival Society. In November, the band appears both in Esquimalt and Victoria on Remembrance Day, and in December supports the Regiment's Saint Barbara's Day Mess Dinner, the Mustard Seed Street Church's Annual Christmas Dinner in the Bay Street Armoury, and joins with the Greater Victoria Concert Band for a combined Christmas concert.

In the New Year, the band has traditionally supported its Bay Street Armoury neighbours, the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) at their annual Ceilidh, while April is spent putting the finishing touches on its repertoire for its Annual Spring Concert, held at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall of the Victoria Conservatory of Music. In 2008, the 39 Canadian Brigade Group's Annal Military Ball moved to Victoria, and the band busied itself with preparations for that high profile event. Toward the end of the season, the band supports the guns of the Regiment at the Victoria Day Gun Salute, which takes place at precisely twelve noon at Ship Point, at the Inner Harbour.

While most units of the Primary Reserve stand down for the summer, the 5th Field Band remains fairly active, playing at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site on Canada Day and in August. Fort Rodd Hill is where the 5th (BC) Field Regiment once manned the gun emplacements, so the Regiment's guns also make an appearance on Canada Day for the salute at noon.

REHEARSALS

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

HOW TO CONTACT US

Anyone interested in auditioning for either Reserve or Associate membership is encouraged to call the Regimental Orderly Room at (250) 363-3626, the Band Orderly Room at (250) 363-8203, or email info@ 5fieldband.ca. You will be contacted by a representative of the Band who will answer all of your questions.