The Rifles Band is as old as the regiment. Dating back to 1883, this band is the oldest community band in Winnipeg. In 1885, members of the first band accompanied the regiment to the Northwest Rebellion.
At first only buglers and drummers, the band has developed into a professional all-instruments concert band including woodwinds, brass, percussion and vocals. Bugles, by tradition and practical use, are closely associated with rifle regiments. This connection comes from the fact that, in action, orders were given by buglers.
The role of the band and its scope of music have changed throughout history. During the last war there were in fact three RWR bands. Two of the bands remained in Canada. One contributed a great deal to the morale of soldiers training in Shilo. The other performed for the citizens of Winnipeg. Both provided a much-needed reprieve from the realities of the time. The third band, formed by soldiers in Europe, was an ad hoc collection of musicians taken from the Battalion.
In the past, band members served along side the regiment acting as stretcher bearers and support staff. The Band today continues to entertain the people of Manitoba and assist in the esprit de corps of the service.
The band is currently under the direction of Capt. Danielle Gaudry. Balanced instrumentation allows the band to perform a variety of music. While marches will always be part of the Rifles Band’s repertoire, they also plays concert selections, modern, big band and contemporary music. The band performs in a variety of forms. A marching band, concert band and stage band. Members within the band also form vocal, woodwind and brass ensembles. Currently there is are over 30 musicians in the band, the majority being active members of the Canadian Forces Reserve. Several dedicated volunteers fill out its ranks.
The role of the Winnipeg Rifles Band is to provide musical support to the Canadian Forces. The Band is the designated official band of 38 Brigade. Representing the Forces, the band performs for different levels of government and in public parades and concerts.
In the summer of 1999 the band performed at Le Festival International De Musiques Militares de Quebec in Quebec City. Annually the band performs at the Manitoba Tattoo. In the spring of 2000 three members of the band accompanied The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada during a pilgrimage to Holland, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Holland’s liberation. In August of 2000 the band performed before an estimated 50 000 people during the opening ceremonies of the Pooh Friendship Day, a celebration of Winnipeg’s ties to the beloved character of Winnie the Pooh. In June 2003 the band had the privilege of traveling to France to play for the opening of the Juno Beach Centre.
The Regimental Band of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles has provided musicians to serve with the Ceremonial Guard Band in Ottawa to perform the changing of the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill. Members of the band have also secured summer employment serving with the National Naval Reserve band.
As a reserve band, the Rifles have had success and have proudly seen some of its members advance into permanent positions with Canada’s Regular Force Bands.