Military Band of the Felix Dzerzhinskiy Separate Operational Purpose Division (awarded the Orders of Zhukov, Lenin and October Revolution) of the National Guard Forces of the Russian Federation
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Kolesnikov,
Formed following the order of the USSR Interior Ministry as part of the Felix Dzerzhinskiy Separate Special Purpose Motorized Rifle Division, the band’s history dates back to August of 1970.
It’s worth noting that as the ensemble’s core featured mainly conscripts, they often were engaged in performing regular military and combat duties in addition to their music activities such as supporting different military ceremonies and rituals.
The band’s achievement record scores participation in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1980 Olympic Games as well as 1984 Friendship Competition. Since 1982 the ensemble has been part of every military parade on Red Square. In 1985 it was engaged in the opening and closing ceremonies of the International Students and Youths Festival as well as performed onstage of various venues in course of the festival.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s the division was sent to various hot spots on the territory of the former Soviet Union, and the band was always accompanying them in those tough missions to keep the soldiers and officers’ morale high.
Nowadays the band’s record lists participation in the military parades held on Red Square as well as performances onstage of various city venues and festivals.
