ARMY SYMPHONY BAND CONCERT ATPUNE
Music is said to have a healing touch. The power of Music is such that it evokes emotions, affects one’s mood and helps unwind. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why military music was born. In the past, during war time, martial music was played to promote the confidence of the troops in moments of stress. In peace time too, music is known to set the pace for action, gearing up body movements for varied activities of the army life. Thus, from reveille to retreat, a soldier’s activities revolve around music in its varied forms. It also provides recreational support to the soldier who spends many days away from home. The present day martial music of the Indian Army has it roots in the period when the British troops spearheaded the imperial conquest of India. The quest for Indianisation of martial music started with Independence as the new nation strove for new identity. When Mahatma Gandhi was martyred the Army paid homage to the ‘man of peace’ by playing the unforgettable ‘Abide with Me’ which constantly reminds us of the values Gandhi held. Similarly, the song, such as ‘Kadam kadam Badhai Ja’ through which Subhash Chandra Bose inspired the INA to fight for the motherland during World War II were selected and immortalized by the Indian Military Bands.
The Three Sections of the Band.
(1) The WOODWIND section consists of Flute and Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone and Bassoon. The tone is produced by a column of air vibrating within a pipe that has little vents on its side.
(2) The BRASS section comprises of the Horn, Cornet, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba. These instruments are indispensable for melody, sustaining harmony, rhythmic accent and for the weight of their massive tone and flame-like sonority they contribute to climaxes.
(3) The PERCUSSION section has a variety of instruments that make sound by striking or shaking. The Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Chimes, Drum, Timpani and several others make up the “Battery” as it is sometimes called.
An Army Symphony Band Concert will be organised at Pune Station from 27 to 29 May 2017. The following Bands will be participating:-
(1) Artillery Centre, Nasik.
(2) Bombay Engineers Group & Centre, Kirkee.
(3) Mechanised Infantry Regiment Centre, Ahmednagar.
Maj Girish Kumar U, Inspector of Army Bands, Southern Command is the Principal conductor and Officer-in-Charge of this Army Symphony Band Concert. Exhibiting dynamic thinking and execution skills, he has coordinated the multifaceted aspects of training and conduct of band events, in addition to conceptualising new tunes for traditional events like Beating the Retreat. Through his assiduous approach, the officer won accolades from the Ministry of Defence for outstanding display by the collective Bands during Republic Day and Beating the Retreat. The officer successfully prepared the band events during commemoration ofWorld War-I, led the Band visit toKazakhstan, Japan, Chile and Tri-Services band to Malaysia. Presently he has been detailed by Ministry of Defence to lead the Tri-Services Band to International Music Festival at Moscow from 21 August to 05 September 2017. The officer holds the unique distinction of holding ‘Master in Sitar’, which he has diligently used in creating mellifluous medley of Indian classical instruments with Western music. In his distinguished 25 years career as a musician, he has arranged thirty five tunes, including ‘Samvidhan’, ‘Blessing of God’, ‘Salam to the Soldier’s’ and he proved his mettle as connoisseur of music through his recent work of drummer’s solo ‘Sandesh to Soldier’s.
Army Symphony Band Concert will include twelve tunes of various styles fromHindustani Raga, Rock, Solo, Theme Film Air and Patriotic Songs.
Event will be organised as under :-
(a) 28 May 2017 – At Amanora Town Centre, Magarpetta City (for civil population).
(b) 29 May 2017 – At RSI, Pune.
(c) 27 May 2017 – At Milkha Singh Stadium.
