About The Festival
The History
Québec City, a fortified city predestined to hold such an event!
In the Middle Ages, castles and fortified towns were well guarded by soldiers who warned of any approaching enemy. It seems these instrumentalist soldiers are the origin of the first musical corps to accompany armies on battlefields. Responsible for transmitting orders and command signals, brass-and-reed music was also used to help soldiers march, to please or comfort them, and to bring glamour to any military event or celebration. Seen as popular bands, they have lived on through history, and here they are in the heart of one of the first cities in North America.
The International Festival of Military Bands will be held in Québec city, against the backdrop of an ancient fortified city. It will focus attention on an important element of Quebec's cultural heritage that, over the years, has perhaps not received the attention it deserves.
A brief look at history reveals that Quebec was one of the most important military strongholds in the Americas. Its imposing fortifications, which still survive today, were begun under the French régime and extended over the following hundred years. After the withdrawal of the British garrison in 1871, the city lost its status as a fortress; once the British had departed, their place was taken by the Canadian forces that still maintain a military presence in Québec. It is hard to imagine a garrison city without, at the same time, imagining military music played by parading bandsmen. Military bands also participated in concerts given in public parks; the energetic rhythms of military music and its focus on brass instruments earned it enormous popularity during the second half of the nineteenth century.
Military music continues to attract local and visiting audiences, continuing a tradition that began over three centuries ago. The Québec City International Festival of Military Bands was brought into being by a group of civilian personalities, with the objective of offering a series of free concerts for the general public while highlighting various outstanding locations in and around Old Québec. The chief instigator of the Festival, Jacques Du Sault, had been developing his project for ten years, and as a natural first step enlisted the support of the Canadian Armed Forces. The original group, formed under the leadership of Mr. Du Sault in 1998, was joined by several enthusiastic military members. The military were able to offer expertise in the form of the unique professional capabilities of the Director of the Band of the Royal 22e Régiment. He became the Festival's Artistic Director, and focused on demonstrating the artistic contribution made by military bands to the cultural life of the city. Since November 2001, lieutenant-colonel (ret’d) Yvan Lachance has been the Chairman and Executive Officer of the festival. Previously M. Lachance was commanding officer of the Voltigeurs de Québec.
As a fortress city, Québec City is the perfect site for holding this kind of event. Its cultural heritage is promoted, and the brass-and-reed bands present within the walls of Old Québec evoke the rhythms of the past. The environment and beauty of the Latin Quarter, rich in history, enhance even more the different activities. In this unmatched historic decor, participating bands present their spectacular and dazzling performances to delighted audiences. The Québec City International Festival of Military Bands evokes a past that is rich in history.
From the Old World to Old Québec
Military bands have a rich past. Their presence in Old Québec evokes colourful, admirable, and even memorable moments of our history. The Québec City International Festival of Military Bands is a unique occasion that harkens back to a time when instrumentalist/artist soldiers played a much more active role and had a close relationship with the people of New France.
From the Old World …
The presence of music in armies dates back to ancient times. In those days, military music was only beginning and had various functions. On the one hand, the music played by drummers and buglers for the infantry and trumpeters for the cavalry was designed to transmit orders and signals. This was war music essentially consisting of sound effects and rhythms designed to frighten the enemy. On the other hand, it was stimulating. It gave courage to the warriors and helped coordinate their moves during battles. The purpose of brass-and-reed music was to help soldiers march as well as to please or comfort them. In society, it accompanied parades and filled moments of relaxation, bands providing glitter to any military manifestation or celebration: inspections, dress parades, marches, etc.
In the Middle Ages, castles and fortified towns were well guarded by soldiers who, from their watchtowers, would sound the alarm when the enemy approached. These instrumentalist soldiers are believed to be at the origin of the first musical corps that accompanied armies on battlefields. During campaigns, commanders were accompanied by musicians who entertained them between battles. Harps, citharas and other string instruments of the early Christian Era were replaced by more powerful wind instruments and more "percussive" percussions.
During the 18th century, military bands became increasingly present in European countries. Every regiment wanted to have its own band and have it play for everyone to hear. Scots and Welsh marched to the sounds of bagpipes, while Peter the Great's Russians marched to the sounds of bassoons and horns. Turks followed the music of flageolets and idiophones.
By the Renaissance, the trumpet, easy to carry and powerful, had become the instrument par excellence. During combat, the trumpet player stood near the chief to transmit orders to the troops. In celebrations and parades, military bands were the pride of lords and a symbol of their leadership. The first military orchestra appeared in France in 1762. The end of the Ancien Régime, however, brought down with it the royal army and its military band. In 1875, a law revived French military bands. It was ordered that each infantry and engineer regiment, and each cavalry brigade was to have its band. In the early 19th century, military bands of European countries, then at peace, were seen in court or public celebrations, where they played an aesthetic role.
… to Old Québec
In Québec City, military bands were very popular with the people, even before the Conquest. In addition to official military functions, military bands participated in many social and recreational activities, including meetings and balls. They formed civilian orchestras, performing at concerts and religious ceremonies. These bands have contributed to the development of a typical repertoire of "Canadian marches."
This presence of music in an armed corps was also very important for stimulating and morally supporting troops. Troubadours are believed to have greatly contributed to popularizing military music. Because of their simplicity, the first compositions lived on and soon became popular melodies. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons why military music is said to be the music of the people. Today, military bands still play an active role among the population—a more formal and convivial one.
Military bands take all the opportunities they are offered to entertain the public in mass events. The Québec City International Festival of Military Bands is one of those great opportunities.
minute news, subscribe
here to our mailing list!
