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Band of the Grenadier Guards

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Band of the Grenadier Guards
The band on Horseguards parade in London in 2008
The band on Horseguards parade in London in 2008
Background information
Also known asBand of the Grenadier Guards
OriginLondon, England, United Kingdom
WebsiteHome of the Grenadier Guards Band

The Band of the Grenadier Guards is one of the bands in the British Army.

History

The band in 1967.

In 1685 Charles II allowed the band to maintain 12 "hautbois" (oboe) players.[1] His death in 1685 was so significant for the band that until the Second World War, the Bass Drummer (known officially as The Regimental Timebeater), wore a black armband in mourning of the king's death.[2]

The Band was given the freedom of the City of Lincoln on 8 May 2008.[3]

The "British Grenadiers March” is one of the most recognizable and memorable tunes in the world, part of Britain's musical heritage. One of the band's admirers during the 18th century was George Frideric Handel. He demonstrated this by presenting the march from Scipio to the regiment before he included it in his opera of that name when it was first performed in 1726. George II gave Handel the task of scoring the Music for the Royal Fireworks, most commonly performed with strings, for the king's own musicians, who were wind players from his foot guards. Handel would have likely come into contact with musicians from the Grenadier Guards during the first performance at Vauxhall Gardens in 1749.[4]

The band at the Garden at Buckingham Palace in 2019.

Band membership duties

Musicians currently in the band have secondary roles in the British Army as chemical decontamination assistants, medics and drivers.

The band is based at Wellington Barracks in St James's, London.

Key personnel

  • Director of Music: Captain Ben Mason
  • Bandmaster: C/Sgt Mattias Andersson
  • Band Sergeant Major: WO2 David Buckles

Historical key personnel

Ensembles

The Marching band in 2010.

There are several ensembles within the Band of the Grenadier Guards:

  • Concert Band
  • Marching band
  • Dance band
  • Big Band
  • Fanfare Trumpet Team
  • 18th Century Ensemble

Other ensembles include:

  • Orchestras
    • These include a range from a String Quartet, to a Chamber Orchestra
  • Dinner Trios and Quartets also number among the band's ensembles.

Events

The Band of the Grenadier Guards plays regularly for many events. Some of these occasions that are most famous are listed below, although this is not a comprehensive list.

The band also performs at other non-military events such as Henley Regatta, Royal Ascot, the FA Cup Final and international rugby matches and opened the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The Band of the Grenadier Guards also visits schools to take part in musical concerts and workshops.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Droit History of the Grenadier Guards Band". Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  2. ^ "The Grenadier Guards Band". The Musical Times. 48 (769). Musical Times Vol. 48, No. 769 (Mar. 1, 1907), pp. 149-155: 149–155. 1907. doi:10.2307/905027. JSTOR 905027.
  3. ^ "Official City Of Lincoln Press release". Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  4. ^ "A Brief History of Vauxhall Gardens". Retrieved 29 March 2020.

Video clips

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