CAF Story | Striking the right note in uniform
Video / December 08, 2023
Transcript
It was important for me to come back this year because after three years of not having a Ceremonial Guard, I really, really wanted to see it get running again.
This year especially, the military needs people to step up and help with training, help with the reconstitution, getting recruiting going, and everything else. And I saw that coming back to CG was the best way for me to help the bigger picture, as well.
I started with piano, but originally, the reason I picked drum was, seemed all my cousins or friends had a drum set in the downstairs that were busted up and broken heads. And I said no, you must be able to do something musical with it. Drums are cool and such a wide variety and interest too. I mean, you can play everything from a traditional drum to, okay, you get your pans out of the kitchen and who knows what some composers will ask you to play.
I've been playing since ‘84, so that's 39 years. Wow. You know that you have an important role within the band as well, it's part of the time keeping, the leading. When the rest of the band’s not playing the drums continue. So, there's definitely, again, a sense of pride and fulfillment playing drums with the military band.
I still love putting on the uniform in the morning and getting out there, meeting the people. It's a thrill to play on the hill, knowing you're representing Canada, meeting people from all around the world, being a proud host here in Ottawa. There's no better job. Like I said, there's so much pride, you’re wearing this amazing uniform, you know you've got something that you’re representing, and being the best face for Canada that we can possibly be.
All musicians in the band, as well as, of course, the guard, are fully trained military people. They've all done their basic, they're all working on their DP1s or their RQ privates. They are fully committed to the military. It's not just a, oh show up, play some music and go. No, no, you’re in the military.
I’d encourage any musician to join the band of the Ceremonial Guard. You get to play with great musicians, you meet friends, lifelong friends from across Canada. You get some training that a lot of other musicians would never see.
I've seen and taken part of a lot of experiences that I never would have had without being a member of the military. So, as a musician, getting to play again with great music, great musicians, it's a fantastic job. I can't think of any better summer job for a musician Period.
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