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Press Release

The 2009 edition: A cultural experience of Europe, Americas and islands, with lots of discoveries

Québec, Tuesday March 31, 2009 – From August 25 to 30, 2009, festival-goers are invited to a multicultural experience. The Québec City International Festival of Military Bands (QCIFMB) proposes an immersion in European, North American and islands cultures. Bands from Germany, United States, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada will take part in the festivities. The Festival will confirm a fifth country at a later date.

“Because of last year’s special edition, the festival now stands out in the military musical network. This new popular fame allowed us to recruit spectacular bands for 2009. So, compared to 2007, we  have added an extra day, more concerts and a lot more color!”, explains Mr. Yvan Lachance, Chairman and Executive Officer.

International crossroads for military music 
The Festival has become an international crossroads for military music. The discoveries will be numerous. All bands will offer free outdoor concerts and will take part in diverse outdoor ceremonies, including the Festival Parade. For three nights, on August 27, 28 and 29, bands will unite and partake the Québec City Military Tattoo. The Tattoo will be accessible at popular prices. Some ensembles will also perform at the Concert du Palais, two nights, on August 25 and 26.

From Europe …
For the first time in America, the surprising German formation of the Hamburg Police, « The Flying Grandpas », will perform in an acrobatic show with trampolines. Come enjoy the lighter and more frivolous side of the Hamburg Police Forces.

Also from Germany, the Army Band 300 from Koblenz is come back, after their successful participation in 2007. The band’s repertoire goes from classical to contemporary works. The band is known for keep aliving and preserving of its traditional military marches. Festival-goers will be able to hear them at the Concert du Palais.

From North America…
Recognized as one of the best American bands, The United States Navy Band from Washington, D.C. is the main representative of the American Navy. The band features some of the nation’s top musicians. It has recently participated in presidential inaugural ceremonies. Festival-goers will have a chance to see them perform at the Concert du Palais.

Also from Washington, the Festival will welcome one the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard, the official Ceremonial Unit of the U.S. Navy. The formation will certainly offer again an impressive performance, as in 2005 and 2007. The Ceremonial Guardsmen movements are refined and they appear as a single precision motion when performed. The rifle drills utilize a standard traditional gun with a fixed bayonet.

Canadian bands will highlight the 100th anniversary of Canadian aviation
On February 23, 1909, the Silver Dart took off in New Brunswick. It was the beginning of Canadian aviation. One hundreds years later, the Festival will commemorate this anniversary with a few performances from Canadian Air Force bands. A specific scene at the Tattoo will also be dedicated to the anniversary, including the participation of the Combined Band of the Canadian Air Force. A free outdoor concert is in preparation. Details will be announced during the upcoming summer.

And the islands!
With their steel drums, musicians from the Trinidad & Tobago Defense Force Steel Orchestra will enchant the crowd with islands the rhythms. Representative of the Caribbean’s culture, the musicians are festive and certainly know how to dance! 

Participating Countries
1.	The Army Band 300 of Koblentz, Germany
2.	« The Flying GrandPas » from Hamburg Police, Germany
3.	The United States Navy Band, United States
4.	The United States Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team, United States
5.	The Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra, Trinidad and Tobago
LES MUSIQUES CANADIENNES PARTICIPANTES
1.	La Compagnie franche de la Marine, Québec
2.	La Musique des Voltigeurs de Québec, Québec
3.	La Musique du Royal 22e Régiment, Québec
4.	The National Band of the Naval Reserve, Québec, Québec
5.	The Québec City 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipes and Drums, Québec
6.	La Musique des cadets de la Région de l'Est, Richelain
7.	La Musique des Fusiliers Mont-Royal, Montréal
8.	The RCMP Pipes and Drums, Ottawa
9.	The Air Command Pipes and Drums, Ottawa, Ottawa
10.	The Central Band of the Canadian Forces, Ottawa
11.	The 3 Area Support Group Pipes and Drums, Gagetown
12.	The Air Command Band, Winnipeg, Winnipeg

 
A new image for the Festival in 2009
The Festival has appointed the agency Chalifour to review his image. The new campaign will be launch during the summer 2009

For information of the festival: 418 694-5757 / 1888 693-5757 / www.fimmq.com

The Festival is presented by La Capitale groupe financier, in collaboration with Land Force Québec Area.

The Festival can also rely on the unfailing support of valuable partners: Canadian Government (Ministry of National Defense and Canadian Economic Development); Québec Government (Bureau de la Capitale-Nationale and Tourisme Québec); Québec City and Québec City Tourism; ExpoCité and Hydro-Québec.

Contact for media: Marie-Eve Jacob, Communications coordinator
Cell. : (418) 805-0949 /mjacob@fimmq.com