Squadron Commander Captain Aime Cesaire Ouedraogo, Head of the Band.
The Presidential Orchestra of Burkina Faso has a rich history that can be traced to Thomas Sankara’s August Revolution of 1983.
Still, the group did not come together in its current configuration until early this year. The band embarked on its renaissance journey in February, following the decree of President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traore. It now represents the state’s tenacious efforts to combat the terrorist threat, in part, by leveraging the unifying power of cultural and intangible heritage.
The Presidential Orchestra is a critical component of a sophisticated mechanism that serves to fortify the country and advance culture as a form of resistance. While accompanying different official events and solemn ceremonies, the band’s musicians mainly concentrate on boosting the army’s morale, particularly of those fighting on the frontlines, and supporting the entire Burkinabe nation.
President Traore decided to resurrect the ensemble in order to bolster the local artistic community and safeguard the nation’s rich cultural legacy, in line with his strategic vision for the country’s future growth. Some of the most gifted musicians from all over Burkina Faso have become part of the Presidential Orchestra. They expertly meld the nation’s cultural endeavors and contemporary trends with the timeless traditions of the past. The ensemble is made up of five main parts: the rhythm, wind and string sections as well as a choir and a group of folk instruments.
The band’s scope of responsibilities is broad. Some examples include promoting the Burkinabe President’s image and national cultural heritage both domestically and internationally, covering important national public and military events, honoring the President of Burkina Faso and his highly esteemed guests, and boosting army morale.
At the helm of the Presidential Orchestra is Squadron Commander Captain Aime Cesaire Ouedraogo, a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory and a certified military conductor.
