Irish Defence Forces School of Music

The Irish Defence Forces School of Music (Scoil Cheoil Óglaigh na hÉireann) is an organised musical Corps of the Irish Army which maintains the military bands of the army. It contains a directorate and a headquarters made up of 3 military bands. The 97 members of the three bands currently perform at approximately 500 state, military and civilian events annually.

History
The idea for an Army School of Music was first noted in November, 1922, when General Richard Mulcahy, the then Chief of Staff, said that he wants to have bands “that will dispense music and musical understanding in the highest terms to the people”. The first requirement was for expert military musicians to take on the task of training bands. Ireland originally reached out to the French Republican Guard Band, which was unsuccessful, however they were able to reciev training from Germany. One musician in particular, Colonel Wilhelm Fritz Brase, who was the "Royal Music Director" of the Emperor Alexander 1st Guards Grenadiers since 1907, was invited to lead the band on March 1, 1923. By January 1924, the entire operation was transferred from the Curragh, to Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin. Between 1924 and 1936 a school and three more military bands, all under the title of "The Army School of Music". Colonel Brase died in 1940 and was succeeded by Colonel Sauerzweig, who served as Director until 1947. 1997 saw a reorganisation of the Defence Forces which also included a reduction in overall strength. The bands of the re-titled Defence Forces School of Music did not remain untouched by this process.

List of Directors
Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Power
 * Colonel Wilhelm Fritz Brase (1923–1940)
 * Colonel Christian Sauerzweig (1940–1947)
 * Colonel James Doyle (1947–1971)
 * Colonel John Brennock (1971–1981)
 * Colonel Fred O’Callaghan (1981–1987)
 * Colonel Jim McGee (1987–1988)
 * Colonel Neil O’Brien (1988–?)
 * Lieutenant Colonel Mark Armstrong (Since 2010)

Mission
The DFSM has the responsibility for the overall direction of music policy within the Defence Forces. In addition to overseeing all purchases of new instruments, music and band equipment, the DFSM has responsibility of recruiting and training new instrumentalists.

Irish Army Bands wear a black ceremonial uniform with red stripes on the trousers and peak cap type headwear.

Instrumentalists
Military instrumentalists of the DFSM provide musical support for all aspects of military life. Potential instrumentalists are required to complete an online application form and be 18 years of age and under 28 years.

The Army No.1 Band
The Army No.1 Band was formed in 1923 by Colonel Wilhelm Fritz Brase (The former Royal Music Director of the Emperor Alexander 1st Guards Grenadiers) and gave its first public performance under the direction of Colonel Brase at the Theatre Royal in Dublin, in October of that year. The band, was the first of four military bands to be established between 1923 and 1936, is the premier military band of the Irish Army. It performs on all major ceremonial occasions, including the presidential inauguration. It also provides musical support during state visits to Ireland by foreign Heads of state. The band has performed at festival and military tattoos in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and France.

The Band of the 1st Brigade
The Band of the 1st Southern Brigade also known as the Army No.2 Band was formed in April 1925 at Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin. Its current title, dates from a reorganisation of the Defence Forces in 1997.

The Band of the 2nd Brigade
The Band of the 2nd Brigade also known as the Army No.3 Band is the 2nd territorial band of the DFSM based in Athlone.

Defence Forces Pipe Bands
Personnel of pipe bands serve in their musical role in addition to their primary military duties as riflemen. Irish pipe bands serve in the Congo, Cyprus, and Lebanon and play an important role in maintaining morale. Currently each of the nine Permanent Defence Force infantry battalions has a pipe band trained by the School of Music.

Related Articles

 * Defence Forces (Ireland)
 * Infantry Corps (Ireland)
 * Irish Army
 * Irish Air Corps
 * Irish Naval Service
 * Modern Irish Army uniform