The Royal 22e Régiment Band Celebrates its 100 years!

December 14, 2021 - Defence Stories

Caption

The Royal 22^e Régiment Band during the recording of their latest CD, Mosaïque, at Espace Saint-Grégoire, in September of 2021.

The year 2022 will be marked by numerous events celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the Royal 22^e Régiment Band, July 24^th, 1922 being the foundation of this celebrated military band. Throughout its history, the Royal 22^e Régiment Band has earned its reputation by its participation in historic events (such as the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952), as well as its presence in the public eye. Thanks to the numerous concerts, recordings, and parades, the band has forged a link between the Canadian Armed Forces and the general population, which has profited with a direct connection to the military community.

Despite its success in Québec City and its renowned reputation abroad, the R22eR Band has been met with some obstacles in the last two years. The Coronavirus pandemic has brought a number of complications that particularly affect an ensemble almost entirely made up of wind instruments. The group has been able to maintain its presence in the public eye thanks to modern technologies, and various social media platforms. You can find some of the Band’s accomplishments on our Facebook page (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website).

Caption

First official picture of the Royal 22^e Band, 1922.

Since the Fall of 2021, the R22eR Band has finally been able to adopt lighter restrictions, in order to start preparations for a multitude of projects for its centennial celebrations: a new recording, a temporary exhibit dedicated solely to the group, and a concert to mark the 100^th are just some of the significant preparations. In regards to the recording, the centennial certainly influenced the choice of two works found on the newly released album, entitled Mosaïque. One of which was composed in 1931, by the first Director of Music of the Band, Captain Charles O’Neill. The second, a symphony commissioned by the Band for its centennial, by Mr. Robert Buckley – entitled Mosaïque du Québec, this symphony illustrates the four seasons of La Belle Province. The remaining tracks exhibit the excellence and virtuosity of the musicians that make up the R22eR Band.

Continuing the celebrations, the Royal 22^e Régiment Museum, found at the Citadelle de Québec, will be showcasing a temporary exhibit about the Band. In order to visit and learn more about the ensemble and its history, the exhibit will run from June 24^th, 2022, until the end of October the following year. There will be many interactive and historic elements to interest those both big and small.

To conclude, we proudly announce that the main event of the 100^th anniversary festivities of the Royal 22^e Régiment Band will be a grandiose and free concert, at the Palais Montcalm in Québec City on July 16^th, 2022 – just a few days short of century after its foundation. Don’t miss it!