Regiment band to represent Bermuda at Fortissimo 2011

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4: Tattoo? Beating Retreat? Sunset? What does it all mean? The short answer is that it is the end of the day—ceremonially, and for the soldiers, anyway. These bygone military practices hearken back to when the foot soldiers would retire from battle as light faded, the lowering of the flags, and the closing of the camp gates and mounting of the guards to keep watch over the encampments during the night. Though each of these events is specific in and of itself, they all generally imply that they day is finally over.

Locally, the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band and the Band and Corps of Drums of the Bermuda Regiment perform a number of Beatings of Retreats, sponsored by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Bermuda Department of Tourism, throughout the summer months beginning in May and continuing through until the end of October. The spectacle takes place at either King’s Square in St. George, the Clocktower Esplanade in the Royal Naval Dockyard, and on Front Street in Hamilton at the Flag Pole and attracts numerous visitors and locals to review the displays put on for their enjoyment.

This week, the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums (the Band) travels to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to participate in Fortissimo 2011. Now in its 14th year, the event takes place on the lawns of Parliament Hill and amps up its much smaller cousin held here in Bermuda. Organized by the Canadian Forces Ceremonial Guard, Fortissimo is billed as a Massed Bands Beating Retreat and Concert. Lt. Patrice Arsenault, the Director of Music for the Ceremonial Guard says, ―2011 is the 140th anniversary of the Permanent Force and of the establishment of A & B Battalion’s Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA).

He continues, ―[The observation of] this anniversary will be the main theme of Fortissimo 2011: a celebration of the Army in a ceremony designed and performed by the Army. There exists a special link between Bermuda and the Permanent Force, The Royal Canadian Regiment, the oldest permanent force infantry regiment of the Canadian Army, which garrisoned in Bermuda between fall 1914 and summer 1915. In order to highlight the special relationship between Bermuda and the Canadian Army it is fitting to have the Band from the Bermuda Regiment join the Ceremonial Guard as part of the celebration. To this end, the performance will go back to its roots and be centered on the Retreat/Sunset ceremonies.

Captain Dwight Robinson, the Director of Music for the Bermuda Regiment had this to say: ―The Band was invited to participate in Fortissimo following the Bermuda Tattoo 2009. We asked Master Warrant Officer Alan Clark to assist us as the Pipe Major for our show. He is also the Pipe Major for the Ceremonial Guard and the discussions developed from there. We gladly accepted their invitation and are happy to represent Bermuda and her people on this historic occasion.

“Much as we did for Australia, the Band has prepared a dynamic display of virtual perpetual motion. It has been a short, sharp challenge for the Band, but they have acquitted themselves well. Their concentration and enthusiasm have seen them put together the entire show in record time—I think they even surprised themselves. It only demonstrates that focus, determination, and cooperation will get you to do things you wouldn’t have thought possible otherwise.

”Our show this year starts with a somewhat earthy feel and that energy continues to build. We have taken just under a quarter of our allotted time and have perked it up with a couple of Bermuda-related tunes. These would be pieces the Canadian audience would not otherwise have the pleasure of hearing. Once our march on and concert piece is complete (Pirates of the Caribbean, Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing, and In The Stone), we leave the audience with a spritely marching version of Bermuda is Another World, and the quick march Bermuda, penned for the Bermuda Regiment and played at the conclusion of all of our public performances.

“Right now, the group is not as psyched as they will be. Once we hit the ground in Ottawa you will see the excitement begin to come to build. We’ll have a couple of chances to run through the show in the actual working space and we’ll get to tweak it some, but once the lights come on the Band perks itself up even more and away they go! They can’t afford to rest on their laurels even though they have worked hard. They should be very proud of themselves and they deserved to show themselves off for Bermuda.

The Regiment is normally stood down at this time of year, yet the Band has had part of their leave cancelled to represent Bermuda. “They do so with minimal fuss and bother. They recognize and accept their role in the service of their country no matter the day, no matter the hour, and they do so with dignity and pride,‖ the Director adds.

An equally proud moment for the Band will be their participation in the Ceremonial Guard Change on the same mornings as the Fortissimo shows. They will march shoulder to shoulder with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard and the Pipes and Drums of the Ceremonial Guard as the Guards Mount on Parliament Hill. This practice dates back to July 2, 1959.

Lt. Arsenault says of the shows generally, ―Various military band and drill displays will be performed, culminating in the traditional performance of the 1812 Overture by the massed bands with guns. This will lead to the Beating the Retreat and Sunset ceremonies [proper]. An important feature this year will be the parade of colours and guidons of CF Army units.

While praising the musicians for their hard work in preparation for the trip, Capt. Robinson is equally grateful for the sacrifices the families and the employers make to accommodate the Band’s commitments. ―Yes, employers are required to give soldiers the time they need to complete their annual camp training, but we do not take that for granted. Those who will have members of the Band in their employ make a particularly special sacrifice. We are extremely grateful for their cooperation and want to acknowledge them at this time.

“We gratefully acknowledge the Bermuda Regiment Charitable Trust (the ―Trust‖) for their generous sponsorship of the Band. Without the Trust’s assistance we would not be able to take advantage of this international opportunity.

The Trust was established in 2003 to facilitate the receipt and disbursement of charitable donations with a view to providing equipment and facilities, promoting cultural exchanges and providing scholarships and bursaries for further education. The Trust has been the fundraising arm behind the Regiment’s Fitness Centre, Bermuda’s participation in The Edinburgh Military Tattoo and The Bermuda Tattoo in 2005 and 2009. Last year the Trust funded the presentation of new Colours to the Regiment and in the current year has provided for tuition, equipment and other support for soldiers. We thank the Trustees and Secretary, and the Trust’s benefactors, for their continued support in ensuring that soldier welfare is served.

The Band departs for Canada to begin preparations for the show on Monday, 8 August and return a week later after taking a half day on Sunday to recover from their hectic schedule.

Fortissimo plays August 11 – 13, 2011 on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada each night beginning at 7:00 pm. The event is free to the public.