The Band of the South District Headquarters of the National Guard Forces

The Military Band of the South District Headquarters of the National Guard Forces of the Russian Federation

Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Arakelyan, Artistic Director of the Band, Head of the Military Band Service of the South District National Guard Forces of the Russian Federation.

Major Ilya Kopylov, Head of the Band.

The history of the band dates back to 1935. During the Great Patriotic War its members took part in the heroic defense of the Rostov-on-Don City. Hence, it was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

Performing onstage of the leading concert venues in the South and North Caucasus federal districts, the band is continuously promoting some of the best pieces of Russian, Soviet and foreign music.

In 2010 and 2015 the ensemble became prize-winner of the National Festival and Contest among Military Bands of the Russian Internal Ministry.

It is a frequent participant of various international military music festivals, featuring the Kazakhstan Eskeri Kernei Festival, Vivat, Saint Petersburg, Victory Fanfares, Kazan Fanfares, etc.

Furthermore, it is the leading group of the National Guard Forces Military Bands Festival held annually in Crimea.

Since 2009 the band has regularly taken part in the Soldier Song National Festival in Sochi.

The Moscow Composers Union awarded the band a congratulatory letter for its contribution in developing national wind music and promoting compositions by contemporary Russian authors.