Presidential Band of the Russian Federation

The Presidential Band of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant's Service of the Federal Protective Service of the Russian Federation (Russian:Президентский оркестр Службы коменданта Московского Кремля Федеральной службы охраны Российской Федерации) shortened to the Presidential Band of the Russian Federation (Russian:Президентский оркестр Российской Федерации) is a special military unit that is the official military band service for the President of Russia. It is the main band that plays at official ceremonies and receptions for high-ranking officials that visit Russia, including heads of state, heads of government, and diplomatic delegations. Although it is not an official military unit, it is affiliated with of the Military Band Service of the Armed Forces of Russia. Unlike the Special Exemplary Military Band of the Guard of Honor Battalion of Russia, which shares a similar role, the Presidential Band is the official band of the President of Russia and is based in the Kremlin.

History 
The Presidential Band of the Kremlin Regiment of Russia was established in September 1938, being originally named the Moscow Kremlin Commandant's Band, for many years assigned as the official band of the Soviet KGB in state events. On January 11, 1993, Russian President Boris Yeltsin ordered the band to be renamed to its current title. The band plays at large number of concerts, in Russia and abroad, performing at prestigious venues and major international festivals. Since autumn 2004, the band has taken part in the changing of the guard in the Kremlin, which was revived that year. In addition to its concert band, the band also includes a symphonic orchestra and a symphonic pops orchestra, making it possible to broaden the repertoire from classical and folk music to rock compositions.

The band cooperates with Russian and foreign celebrities, such as Iosif Kobzon and Ken Hensley. Currently, the repertoire of the band includes 16 ballet performances, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. The band has given more than 700 performances in the Grand Kremlin Palace, as well as foreign theaters such as, the Kennedy Center, Madison Square Garden, the Rome Opera, and the Friedrichstadt Palace.

List of conductors 
 N. Mirov - (1938–1947)
 V. Dalekiy - (1942–1957) 
 V. Udalov - (1957–1958)
 Grigory Smushchenko - (1958–1968) 
 Viktor Ivanov - (1972–1996) 
 Pavel Ovsyannikov - (1996–2004)
 Anton Orlov - (2004–2010)
 Vera Krylova - (2010–present)

Events 

The Presidential Band plays at various events that usually tailored to the Kremlin's ceremonial needs. It has performed on the following occasions in Russia and foreign countries.

 Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo
 Inauguration of the Russian President
 Bolshoi Theater
 State arrival ceremonies in the Grand Kremlin Palace

The band was awarded the following accolades:
 Lenin Komsomol Prize (1982) - For its great work in the education of youth and its high performing skills

References

External links 
 The Presidential Band & Guard at the Rosenberg Tattoo in 2008

Category:Russian military bands
Category:KGB
Category:Moscow Kremlin
Category:Musical groups established in 1938
Category:Military units and formations established in 1938
Category:1938 establishments in the Soviet Union