The Brass & Reed Band

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The Brass & Reed Band

Bugle Major Chris Ahern at

Remembrance Day

The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) Band

is a brass and reed band that serves as a regimental and community band.
Under Band Director Brian Smith, the Band comprises civilian volunteers who perform for military and public functions as representatives of the Regiment. The Band performs at more than a dozen engagements across Greater Vancouver and British Columbia each year.

In addition to regimental ceremonies and functions, notable community public performances include:

Vernon Winter Carnival – outdoor winter parade and indoor performance in Vernon
Vancouver Sun Run – open air concert in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood
Kerrisdale Carnival Days – street parade in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood
Ladner Bandfest – outdoor performance as part of a music festival
Point Grey Fiesta Days Parade – street parade in Vancouver’s Point Grey neighbourhood
Okanagan Tattoo – indoor arena performance as part of a military “tattoo” in Vernon
Vancouver Halloween Parade – street parade in downtown Vancouver
Princeton Traditional Music Festival
BC Lions Salute to Veterans Halftime Show
Remembrance Day – street parade and performance at the cenotaph in downtown Vancouver

History of the Band

The Band has existed in some form since 1883. In the early years, it was made up of serving military personnel who traveled overseas with the Regiment in World War I and II. In the late 1960s, the Band was dissolved, but it re-formed as a volunteer band in 1987. It has continued to play uninterrupted since then.

Join the Band

Unlike many community bands, there is no cost to join or play with us. We provide uniforms and music and can sometimes help with an instrument. The Band welcomes players of all skill levels. We have brass, woodwind and percussion instruments and play a mix of marches, classical, swing, and modern pop arrangements.

The Band practices weekly on Monday nights from 7:30-9:30 pm at the Beatty Street Drill Hall in downtown Vancouver (620 Beatty Street), located right across the street from Stadium Skytrain Station. If you would like to come and join us, send us a message via Facebook or e-mail and we will be in touch!