Guards Band
Oldest operational concert band in Finland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Guards Band (Finnish: Kaartin soittokunta; Swedish: Gardets musikkår) is the premier band of the Finnish Defence Forces. Established in Parola on April 1, 1819, it is the oldest of the six Finnish military bands as well as the oldest continuously operating professional musical organization in Finland.[1]
| Guards Band | |
|---|---|
The Guards Band performing in Malmö, Sweden in 2017 | |
| Active | April 1, 1819 – present |
| Allegiance |  Finland |
| Type | Military band |
| Size | 42 |
| Garrison/HQ | Guard Jaeger Regiment, Helsinki |
| Website | sotilasmusiikki |
| Commanders | |
| Senior Conductor | Major (mus.) Timo Kotilainen |
| Conductor | Captain (mus.) Aino Koskela |
The Guards Band is officially the Representative Band of the President of the Republic of Finland.[1][2] As of 2022, it consists of 42 musicians led by Senior Conductor Timo Kotilainen and Conductor Aino Koskela.[3]
The Guards Band performs in over 100 events every year, including state visits, military parades, state dinners, concerts and the Independence Day Reception at the Presidential Palace. Its most important annual concerts include the Töölö concerts, held at the Temppeliaukio Church to highlight contemporary music, the entertainment concerts at the Finlandia Hall, and a classical concert at the Helsinki Music Centre.[4][5]