We are delighted to host the Crescendo Concert Series. This latest concert features the musicians from the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the Ballroom at Rideau Hall.
The concert is free of charge; however, registration is required. A maximum of four (4) guests can be included in one registration.
What to Expect:
- Doors will open at 1:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the start of the concert.
- Doors will close at 2:15 p.m.
- A security screening is required.
- Seating is available for all and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- No outside food or drinks are allowed.
- There is no parking on-site. Please park in the adjoining neighbourhood and enter the grounds on foot using the Thomas, Sussex, MacKay or Princess pedestrian gates.
- Visitors with reduced mobility can be dropped off and picked up at a specific location on-site. To make arrangements, please contact us at guide@gg.ca or 1-866-842-4422 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
If you have registered but are no longer able to attend the concert, please inform us by 4 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026.
The Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces
The Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), under the command of Captain Christine Davies, is one of six full-time Regular Force military bands in the Canadian Armed Forces. The band provides professional music support for the Canadian Armed Forces, The Department of National Defence, and the Government of Canada in addition to the general Canadian public. Although many of their performances take place in the National Capital Region, the band also travels domestically and abroad to perform for special commemorative ceremonies and international events. Dressed in the uniform of the Royal Canadian Air Force, this unit supports all elements of the Canadian Armed Forces and falls under the command of the Commander of the Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau).
The band was originally created in 1940 as the Central Band of the Royal Canadian Air Force in preparation for the visit of Prince George, Duke of Kent in 1941. During the Unification of the CAF in 1968, the Central Band of the RCAF merged with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band to become the National Band of the Canadian Armed Forces. In 1970 it was renamed the Central Band of the CAF.
The Central Band of the CAF has since performed for many audiences in notable performances, such as the first NATO Music Festival of 1969 in Kaiserslautern, Germany, the opening and closing ceremonies to the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, and the XXVI Latvian Song and Dance Festival which took place in multiple Latvian cities in 2018.
The Central Band is composed of three main ensembles: the Concert/Parade Band, Serenade of Strings and the Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums. Other small ensembles include brass and woodwind quintets and jazz and pop ensembles.