The Exemplary Band of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus
Colonel Igor Khlebus, Head of the Band, Head of the Military Band Service of the Belarus Armed Forces
Colonel Maxim Krechetov, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor
The Band of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus was established in 1950 as a band of the headquarters of the Belarus Military District. It is the leading military music band of the country. Its main task is to educate national identity and instill spiritual values in the soldiers, support high morale and martial spirit, while promoting productions of international music culture.
The band’s repertoire numbers over 500 pieces by leading classical and contemporary composers. It regularly performs in the Central Officers’ Club, guards’ and soldiers’ clubs, participates in radio and television programs, regularly goes on tour around the country and abroad. It is also a regular participant of military parades, festive marches and other social and cultural events.
The Belarus military band is especially popular among the admirers for its open-air training grounds concerts with solo, ensemble and orchestra performances, which are more typical for concert halls.
The Honor Guard of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus
Captain Kirill Korchinskiy, Commander of the Unit
The Honor Guard of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus was formed in 1995 to support arrivals and departures of the heads of foreign states and governmental delegations and take part in different state official events. The unit also accompanies solemn wreath laying ceremonies as well as pays honors to the fallen defenders of the Motherland. The Honor Guard represents the country both on national and international levels, taking part in different celebrations held by other states, e.g. Russia, France, Venezuela, Poland, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and China.
The unit consists of 180 servicemen, who demonstrate synchronous arms drill with short rifles and sabres. They are always engaged in different experience sharing missions and never stop learning and mastering their own skills. Hence, each of the unit's performance is unique in its character .
For this year's performance at the Spasskaya Tower Festival the Honor Guard Unit of the Armed Forces of Belarus has mastered some new arms drill and regrouping elements (known as 'clock face' and 'gears'). Besides they will bring to Moscow the audience favorite 'dominoes' arms drill (but this time they'll perform it in slow motion that makes it even more fascinating) and modified 'comb' regrouping (in the form of two triangles). You'll also have a chance to meet the 'soloists' who have developed several new short rifle drill elements themselves.
