The Indian Army Chief's Band is the Indian Army's full-time music band. It was founded in 1990 as the official band of the Indian Army and the foremost in the armed forces. It also, as its name implies, represents the Chief of the Army Staff at events involving the COAS's presence. The band represents India in most important state events held in the Indian capital. It was raised in 1990 with bandsmen being drawn multiple Indian military bands in order to "retain the true representation of the entire nation in one band". In April 2011, a string section was added, consisting of cellos, violas and violins, elevating it to a symphony orchestra comprising 72 musicians.[1] Outside of the Indian Army, it has also represented the Indian nation at various military music festivals in France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and Bangladesh.[2]
In September 2009, the band visited Russia to take part in the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo. During its performance on Moscow's Red Square, it went under the name of the Orchestra of the Supreme Commander of Chief of the Armed Forces of India (Russian: Оркестр Верховного Главнокомандующего Вооруженными Силами Индии).[7][8]
In June 2012, the band The performed at the Jammu Garrison for over 5000 soldiers and their families at Zorawar Stadium in Sunjuwan Cantonment.[9][10]
The Band was part of the Indian Army's Grand Symphony band that performed at Amity University, Noida campus during the 70th Independence Day celebrations in August 2016.[11]
In April 2017, the band performed at a concert sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and TourismofVietnam and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi. During the performance, three Vietnamese artists accompanied the band in performing the music arranged.[13][14][15]
India
Indian Army
