Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band

Commanding Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force Band

Captain Devin Sloos joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2005 as a primary reservist with Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship YORK in Toronto, ON. He holds a bachelor’s degree in euphonium performance from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in brass performance and literature as well as a performance certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. While studying at the Eastman School of Music, Captain Sloos was responsible for conducting Eastman’s Tuba-Euphonium ensemble and taught low brass instrumental methods for which he received the 2014 Eastman Certificate for Excellence in Teaching.

While a member of HMCS YORK, Captain Sloos travelled with the National Band of the Naval Reserves every summer from 2007-2013. He completed his Primary Leadership Qualification in 2011 where he received the Formation Chief Petty Officer’s Award for best display of enthusiasm, co-operation, inspiration of the team spirit and personal integrity as selected by his peers. While completing his master of music he was attached posted to the 198th US Army Reserve Band in Rochester. Prior to completion of his degree, Captain Sloos won an audition to commission from the ranks with a promotion to Sub-Lieutenant (Navy) in order to assume the role of Assistant Director of Music at HMCS YORK.

In 2015 Captain Sloos successfully completed an audition to component transfer to the Regular Forces as a euphonium player, but delayed his acceptance of the position in order to pursue an opportunity to component transfer to the Regular Force as a Music Officer.  After being successful in that audition, he  completed his first regular force position during the summer of 2015 in Ottawa as the Assistant Director of Music for Ceremonial Guard prior to the commencement of the music officer course in CFB Borden.

In 2016 Captain Sloos was posted to the Royal Military College in order to fill the role of Director of Music. During his time there, he brought renewed energy to the music program such that each section grew in both numbers and confidence. He then adapted and adjusted during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to reach cadets dispersed across the country, all while holding multiple primary duties.

Captain Sloos is looking forward to his tenure in Winnipeg, MB, as Captain Sloos adopts his role as the Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band.

Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Curtis Bamford joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2004 as a primary reservist with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa. He holds a bachelor’s degree in saxophone performance from the University of Manitoba and received his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, where he studied with the legendary classical saxophonist, Eugene Rousseau. MWO Bamford proudly served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in the summer of 2005, before completing a component transfer to the regular force in 2006, becoming a member of the Air Command Band. After completing his Primary Leadership Qualification in 2007, where he received the LAC Gravel peer-nominated leadership award, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. At this time, MWO Bamford was very active in the Winnipeg music scene, serving as principal saxophonist of the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble, as saxophone instructor at the Canadian Mennonite University and the University of Manitoba, and as a regular performer with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, which included performing as a featured soloist in the 2010 New Music Festival.

MWO Bamford was posted to the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) Band in Edmonton in 2011. In addition to his musical duties, he completed the Winter Warfare course, Wilderness Survival training with the Canadian Rangers, and the Basic Parachutist Course. Appointed to Drum Major in 2012, MWO Bamford led the RCA Band in numerous ceremonial engagements, including the Calgary Stampede Parade, Okanagan Military Tattoo, and the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry 100th Anniversary Parade. Promoted to Warrant Officer (WO) in 2015, he attended the year-long French course in Edmonton before returning to the RCA Band as the Operations WO in 2016.

Returning to Winnipeg in 2017, MWO Bamford served as the Acting Senior Warrant Officer and Standards and Training WO. He completed the Warrant Officer Rank Qualification conducting course in 2018. MWO Bamford was promoted to his current rank and appointed Senior Warrant Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band in September of 2020.

Throughout his career, MWO Bamford has been fortunate to participate in numerous national and international musical deployments, including the 90th and 100th Anniversaries of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France, the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Seoul in South Korea, the Nijmegen Marches in the Netherlands, the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hammel in France, and public duties in London, England. Most recently, he served as Drum Major for the CAF Composite Pipes & Drums at the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings at Juno Beach, France.

In addition to music and family, MWO Bamford enjoys hockey, personal fitness, home construction projects, and campfires in the backyard.