Fortissimo Sunset Ceremony Explained

The Fortissimo Sunset Ceremony is an annual Canadian military music event held on the grounds of Parliament Hill in the Canadian capital of Ottawa.

The ceremony is a combination of the historical Beating Retreat event which originated in the United Kingdom, a regular military tattoo, and the lowering of the Canadian flag.^[1] The ceremony, which usually takes place on a July evening, is organized by the Ceremonial Guard, whose bands are also the main event at the festival. The guard is an ad hoc unit formed for the summer months to attend various military functions and ceremonies. In previous years, foreign drill units have also taken part in the tattoo, including units such as the German Navy Silent Drill Team, the Band of America’s Few, the Bermuda Regiment Band, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Army News (National) - Canadian Army - Article - Fortissimo: 21st annual military concert and sunset ceremony on Parliament Hill. National Defence. Government of Canada. 19 July 2017. Army-armee.forces.gc.ca. 8 December 2018. 11 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171211223706/http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/news-publications/national-news-details-no-menu.page?doc=fortissimo-21st-annual-military-concert-and-sunset-ceremony-on-parliament-hill%2Fj56y0uyn. dead.
2. Web site: Ceremonial Guard: Fortissimo! . www.marketwired.com . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123655/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/ceremonial-guard-fortissimo-1546536.htm . 9 December 2018 . dead.
3. Web site: Fortissimo:2nd MAW, Canadian Forces bands celebrate musical heritage. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. 8 December 2018.
4. Web site: TOG Soldiers make lasting impression in Canada. Army.mil. 8 December 2018.