Fortissimo, Ottawa, Canada
Fortissimo is a military and musical spectacular specially created for the lawns of Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada. Based on traditional military customs, the show annually features massed military bands, pipes and drums, domestic and international guest performers, and the Band & Soldiers of the Ceremonial Guard. Fortissimo is open to all spectators at no charge. A showcase event in the Canadian capital, it has drawn tens of thousands of spectators since it began in 1997.
Origins
Fortissimo is based on two evening routines once carried out by soldiers daily.
The first occurred at sunset, when soldiers fired evening guns, withdrew into fortified camps and cities, locked the gates, and as the sun set and darkness approached, lowered the flag for the night. This was called Retreat. Originally, the calls that ordered this routine were beaten on drums, and the routine is still commonly called "Beating Retreat".
The second routine followed at or near dusk when the night watch was set. Rounds were made to check the sentries (with drum or bugle calls to indicate when the "First Post" and the "Last Post" were reached). During this period, the drums beat a warning for all to return to barracks. Often the band played popular tunes, an evening hymn and finally the national anthem. This became known as Tattoo, from the Flemish words "tap toe", meaning, "turn off the taps" in the inns and bars, indicating to soldiers it was time to leave.
Over the decades the ceremonies expanded into the spectacular ceremonies known and loved by thousands across the world.
The first occurred at sunset, when soldiers fired evening guns, withdrew into fortified camps and cities, locked the gates, and as the sun set and darkness approached, lowered the flag for the night. This was called Retreat. Originally, the calls that ordered this routine were beaten on drums, and the routine is still commonly called "Beating Retreat".
The second routine followed at or near dusk when the night watch was set. Rounds were made to check the sentries (with drum or bugle calls to indicate when the "First Post" and the "Last Post" were reached). During this period, the drums beat a warning for all to return to barracks. Often the band played popular tunes, an evening hymn and finally the national anthem. This became known as Tattoo, from the Flemish words "tap toe", meaning, "turn off the taps" in the inns and bars, indicating to soldiers it was time to leave.
Over the decades the ceremonies expanded into the spectacular ceremonies known and loved by thousands across the world.
Production
Fortissimo is a today grand scale multimedia spectacular featuring, arguably the highlight of the event, a spectacular outdoor performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture featuring the massed bands, modern field guns and the carillon of the iconic Parliament Peace Tower.
Craig first worked on Fortissimo in 2007, arranging some of the music for the tribute section of the show finale, and then in 2008/09 and 10 returned to the show to assist DMaj CWO Tom Peet under Commanding Officers Major Brian Hynes and Major Greg Miller with the production of the event.
Craig also arranged much of the music for the 2008-10 shows, as well as providing the voiceovers and commentary for the show.
Craig first worked on Fortissimo in 2007, arranging some of the music for the tribute section of the show finale, and then in 2008/09 and 10 returned to the show to assist DMaj CWO Tom Peet under Commanding Officers Major Brian Hynes and Major Greg Miller with the production of the event.
Craig also arranged much of the music for the 2008-10 shows, as well as providing the voiceovers and commentary for the show.
Performers
Fortissimo 2007
The Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic
The Central Band of the Canadian Forces
Band of the Ceremonial Guard
The Band of the Royal Irish (United Kingdom)
Ceremonial Guard Continuity Drill Team
The 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Dominion Carillon
Fortissimo 2008
National Band of the Naval Reserve
Central Band of the Canadian Forces
Band and Pipes of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
Band and Pipes of the Ceremonial Guard
Pipes and Drums of the 78th Highlanders
Ceremonial Guard Continuity Drill Team
Ceremonial Guard Jeep Display Team
The National Ceremonial Troop and Highland Dance Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Soloists: Cpl Kim Henrickson (RCMP) and Natalie Alcorn
The 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Dominion Carillon
Fortissimo 2009
Massed Bands of the Canadian Air Force
National Band of the Naval Reserve
Band and Pipes of the Ceremonial Guard
Band and Pipes of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (United Kingdom)
Fortissimo Massed Pipes and Drums
Ceremonial Guard Continuity Drill Team
Ceremonial Guard Jeep Display Teams
The National Ceremonial Troop and Highland Dance Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
La Baie en Joie Acadian Dancers
Soloists: Brenna Conrad and Cpl David Gregnon
The 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Vintage Wings
Dominion Carillon
Fortissimo 2010
The Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic
National Band of the Naval Reserve
The Central Band of the Canadian Forces
Band and Pipes of the Ceremonial Guard
United States Marine Corps, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (United States of America)
Fanfare Team from Liberty High School, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Fortissimo Massed Pipes and Drums
Ceremonial Guard Naval Display Team
Ceremonial Guard Obstacle Race Teams
The National Ceremonial Troop and Highland Dance Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Soloists: Brenna Conrad, Derrick Paul Miller and Ashelin
The 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Dominion Carillon
The Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic
The Central Band of the Canadian Forces
Band of the Ceremonial Guard
The Band of the Royal Irish (United Kingdom)
Ceremonial Guard Continuity Drill Team
The 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Dominion Carillon
Fortissimo 2008
National Band of the Naval Reserve
Central Band of the Canadian Forces
Band and Pipes of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
Band and Pipes of the Ceremonial Guard
Pipes and Drums of the 78th Highlanders
Ceremonial Guard Continuity Drill Team
Ceremonial Guard Jeep Display Team
The National Ceremonial Troop and Highland Dance Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Soloists: Cpl Kim Henrickson (RCMP) and Natalie Alcorn
The 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Dominion Carillon
Fortissimo 2009
Massed Bands of the Canadian Air Force
National Band of the Naval Reserve
Band and Pipes of the Ceremonial Guard
Band and Pipes of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (United Kingdom)
Fortissimo Massed Pipes and Drums
Ceremonial Guard Continuity Drill Team
Ceremonial Guard Jeep Display Teams
The National Ceremonial Troop and Highland Dance Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
La Baie en Joie Acadian Dancers
Soloists: Brenna Conrad and Cpl David Gregnon
The 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Vintage Wings
Dominion Carillon
Fortissimo 2010
The Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic
National Band of the Naval Reserve
The Central Band of the Canadian Forces
Band and Pipes of the Ceremonial Guard
United States Marine Corps, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (United States of America)
Fanfare Team from Liberty High School, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Fortissimo Massed Pipes and Drums
Ceremonial Guard Naval Display Team
Ceremonial Guard Obstacle Race Teams
The National Ceremonial Troop and Highland Dance Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Soloists: Brenna Conrad, Derrick Paul Miller and Ashelin
The 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Dominion Carillon
Footage
Excerpts from Fortissimo 2009 can be found at the Canadian Army News website at:
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=3810
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=3811
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=3812
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=3813
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=3810
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=3811
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=3812
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=3813
Further Information
Further information on the Ceremonial Guard can be found in the collaborators section of this site and at the website of the Canadian Department of National Defence at http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/cg-gc/guard-garde-eng.asp
Further information on the current production of Fortissimo can be found at http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/cg-gc/events-evenements/index-eng.asp
Further information on the current production of Fortissimo can be found at http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/cg-gc/events-evenements/index-eng.asp