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The Canadian Forces School of Music was established as the Royal Canadian Navy School of Music (École de musique de la Marine royale du Canada) in Esquimalt, BC, in 1954 to provide musicians for Canadian Navy bands. In 1961, it expanded to accommodate trainees for Army and Air Force bands. With the unification of the Armed Forces in 1968, it became the Canadian Forces School of Music (CFSM). Now known as the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre Music Division, the school has been located at CFB Borden near Barrie, Ontario, since 1987.
The school offers students a two-year program of individual and ensemble instrumental instruction leading to qualification for positions in Canadian Armed Forces bands. Enrollment has varied with the requirement for musicians. The school also offers a one-year program for experienced forces musicians wishing to become assistant directors and directors of Canadian forces bands, with classes in conducting, composition, and arranging, as well as band administration and management. Summer courses have been offered annually for reserve band personnel from across Canada.
The staff comprises a commandant, two officers, and a complement of instrumental instructors selected from the forces' music branch. CFSM commandants have included: Lieut-Cdr H.G. Cuthbert 1954–56, Lieut-Cdr Stanley Sunderland 1956–66, Lieut-Col Clifford Hunt 1966–68, Lieut-Col Edmund T. Jones 1968–75, Lieut-Col Tom Milner 1975–80, Lieut-Col Charles-Auguste Villeneuve 1980–84, Cdr George Morrison 1984–85, Lieut-Cdr Ben Templaars 1985–87 and Maj Jean-Pierre Montminy 1987–90, succeeded in 1990 by Maj William T. Wornes.
Now known as the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre Music Division, the school has been located at CFB Borden near Barrie, Ontario, since 1987. The training facilities include a rehearsal and concert hall, nearly 50 practice studios, 10 teaching studios, a library and four classrooms.
