The Guards Band (Kaartin soittokunta) is Finland's oldest continuously operating professional orchestra, founded in 1819 in Parola as the band of the Helsinki Drill Battalion. Today it serves as the official representative band of the Finnish Defence Forces and the President of the Republic, with 43 full-time musicians based in Helsinki. Its duties range from state ceremonies - including the Presidential Independence Day reception - to public concerts at venues such as the Helsinki Music Centre, Temppeliaukio Church and Finlandia Hall. The repertoire spans military marches, symphonic wind music and popular classics.
The Guards Band performed a spring concert at Tapiolasali, Espoo Cultural Centre on 8 May 2026.
The band held its traditional Christmas concert at St. John's Church in Helsinki on 11 December 2025, with soprano Sonja Herranen as soloist, followed by a second performance in Forssa on 12 December.
On 1 September 2025 the Guards Band gave a 'Muistojen ilta' concert at the Helsinki Conservatory Concert Hall, conducted by Major (Mus.) Jaakko Nurila, covering the war and reconstruction years 1938-1960.
The Guards Band announced a spring concert collaboration with bandleader Riku Niemi, featuring SoulSisters as soloists.
