With Government restrictions easing, musicians from British Army Music were able to showcase their production of ‘The Sword and The Crown’, a scaled-down version of the yearly Beating Retreat on London’s famous Horse Guards Parade, in July.
This marked the return of ceremonial duties for 150 London-based musicians who have been unable to regularly perform because of the pandemic.
Performed across three nights and attended by HRH The Princess Royal on the final night, the programme was varied with the chosen music representing Britain, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands. The evenings included a special tribute to the closing of the doors of The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, an establishment which has been the foundation of past and present careers of all Army Musicians.
The audience was treated to an arrangement of James Bond 007, where trumpeters and saxophonists from the Bands of the Household Division showcased their talents, set to pyrotechnics. The bands ended their performance with a traditional march off to their Regimental Marches and the iconic march ‘When the Guards Are on Parade’.
The Sword and The Crown was also the first opportunity since the beginning of the pandemic for the British Army Music Engagement Team to invite musicians interested in Army Music down for a face-to-face event. The visiting musicians were treated to front row seats, backstage knowledge, and the chance to see the Army musicians behind the scenes. It was an evening enjoyed by all with many asking to visit us again.
Inviting prospective musicians to such events is important as it helps them recognise another avenue to pursue a career in music performance. Being invited and chaperoned by the members of the Engagement Team, gives the musicians the opportunity to obtain a professional and personal perspective of what the job entails.
The Engagement Team is looking forward to hosting many more events and working with more young musicians in the future.
Reported by Musician Charlotte Webb, Corps Engagement Team
