Naden Band conductor tweaks O Canada

SLt Vincent Roy, Musical Director of the Naden Band, takes a break while practicing a new arrangement of the national anthem he created for the Music Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. SLt Roy began working on his one-size-fits-all ensemble in 2012. It is now the official arrangement used by military bands across the country. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

For decades O Canada has been a trusted staple for Canadian Armed Forces bands, but now military musicians will play from slightly different sheet music.

The national anthem has been revamped by Sub-Lieutenant Vincent Roy, Commanding Officer of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, in time for Canada’s 150th celebrations across the country.

While he was the bandmaster of 14 Wing Greenwood’s volunteer band in 2012, SLt Roy was approached by the Canadian Armed Forces Supervisor of Music, LCol Stephen Murray, to create a new arrangement that could be used in any given circumstance, such as a parade, a concert or a military tattoo.

“The average person may not notice all the differences [from the old version] but a trained musician would,” says SLt Roy. “The biggest change to this arrangement is the switch in key from F to Eb, which makes it more manageable for singers. There are also a few chord changes that give the new version a slightly different colour.”

He worked on the updated music on his own time, writing ideas out on paper and then testing them out at the piano to see if they would fit. After years of work, the Music Branch submitted his arrangement for final approval from Ottawa.

“I needed to stay close to the conventional version though,” says SLt Roy. “I was excited to work on a new arrangement, but also knew it would be a huge challenge to do a one-size-fits-all version.”

In late 2016 he heard back from the Music Branch that his new arrangement had been approved and as January 2017 it is the official arrangement played by bands across the country.

“It was a great feeling to see it through and know that my work had been recognized and accepted,” says SLt Roy. “It was even nicer to get some positive feedback from musicians across the country on social media and through e-mail that they liked it. It is a nice change.”

SLt Roy says he and the Naden Band are now looking forward to testing their new song sheets at the Canada 150 celebrations in Vancouver and other performances such as the Okanagan Military Tattoo, and during the multiple outdoor performances planned for this summer. A digital recording and sheet music of the new arrangement can be downloaded on the CAF Music Branch webpage: www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/musi/o-canada-eng.asp