Bermuda Regiment Band Head To Canada
This week, the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums 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.
There is 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.
Captain Dwight Robinson, the Director of Music for the Bermuda Regiment, said: “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.”
Captain Robinson went on to say, “Much as we did for Australia, the Band has prepared a dynamic display and their concentration and enthusiasm have seen them put together the entire show in record time—I think they even surprised themselves.”
A 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.
what is the Band’s purpose other than looking pretty?
Wouldn’t it be a lot cheaper to send a DVD of the band? Do more with less is supposed to be the rule.
what a way to make some easy money they don’t protect us do they
Regiment = Joke
How is this funded?
Does each member pay their own way – airfare and accomodation – and split the shipping costs of the instruments or is this 100% paid by the taxpayer? Why send the Regiment Band anywhere off island when there are children going to school hungry?
If tax payers do pay, which I’m pretty sure we do, I guess it just comes out of the annual Regiment budget. Oh well. Did I just answer my own question? Further to that, as mentioned above, what benefit do we get from this trip or any other trips overseas for that matter, by the Bermuda Regiment Band?
+ Why send the Regiment Band anywhere off island when there are children going to school hungry?
If tax payers do pay, which I’m pretty sure we do, I guess it just comes out of the annual Regiment budget+
My tax dollars are used to fund the Regiment AND educate (regardless of how poorly) our children in public schools.
As a childless person who gets precious little in return for my taxes why should , as you suggest , I pay for other people’s childrens breakfast too ?
i would rather pay for children’s breakfast than some band of merry men and women who like their liquor and instruments even less.
regiment= waste of money
regiment = waste of time
regiment= waste of resources
regiment= lack of democracy..if men do it so should women…i didnt sign up for that shit so why should i go out of my way to fire a rifle and march on parade for outdated reasons? having someone yell at me and swear at me every 2 minutes is not going to teach me responsibility or to become a man…down with the regiment up with education..if you want to join regiment then join on your own time so we can have a professional ‘army’..at least they’ll do the job properly as they want to be there..so yeah Regiment=joke
Please note that the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band was also invited and will be representing Bermuda at the same event. The BIPB contingent leaves tomorrow (6 Aug). Furthermore, when the Canadian Highland Dancers pulled out, Bermuda put a team together and Bermuda Dancers will be the feature Highland Dancers at the show. The BIPB trip has been totally funded by the BIPB members. Donations however are of course very welcome. Anyone wanting to see us off, we will be on Air Canada, departing at 1310 hrs (1:10 pm).