Making music at Trooping the Colour

Lance Corporal Rob Howe

Lance Corporal Rob Howe is a percussionist in the Band of the Scots Guards (Corps of Army Music) and has recently taken part in the Queen’s Birthday Parade (QBP) or better known as Trooping The Colour.

 

Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign since 1748, and has occurred annually since 1820. The Queen has attended ‘Troop’ every year of her reign except when prevented by a rail strike in 1955. Trooping the Colour allows the troops of the Household Division to pay a personal tribute to the monarch.

The Massed Bands of the Foot Guards, part of the Corps of Army Music, play an integral part in the QBP. Many say it’s the music that brings the parade to life with real pomp and pageantry. Some of the Massed Bands’ responsibilities are getting all the Guardsmen to Horse Guards Parade on time, provide music for various aspects of the parade and then escort the Queen back to Buckingham Palace.

Also taking part in the parade were the mounted Household Cavalry Bands, the Band of The Life Guards and the Band of The Blues and Royals. It was an impressive sight seeing the mounted bands arrive on Horse Guards in their splendid state dress as they provided music for the walk and trot past.

As the the Field Officer’s Trumpeter of the Sovereign’s Escort, Lance Corporal Ben Ruffer of the Band of The Life Guards had a key part on the day.  Having amassed nine years’ experience as a State Trumpeter, his role on this occasion involved a number of trumpet calls and Royal Salutes as well as advising the Field Officer and Corporal Major with key details of the parade.

There is a wide range of experience in the Massed Bands, from junior musicians to Directors of Music (Officers). In the Band of the Scots Guards alone, we had 8 musicians taking part in their first QBP but our Band Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 2 Ralph Brill has taken part in many more!

Naturally, there are mixed emotions before participating in such a prestigious occasion. It’s exciting to be given the opportunity to take part in one of the world’s most famous parades, but also very nerve-wracking because the world is watching you and you do not want to mess it up!

Even though this was my 8th QBP, the novelty of taking part doesn’t wear off and to be given the opportunity to work with over 250 professional military musicians at such a high profile event is an honour and something I do not take for granted.

Troop

Bands leaving Horse Guards Parade

Massed Bands on the Mall

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A return to the Emerald Isle for Army musicians

Paul Johnson is a musician in the Band of the Irish Guards based at Wellington Barracks in central London. The Irish Guards band is one of the five foot guards bands that make up the Household Division.

Band at the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn.

Tuesday 25 September

A day earlier than planned the Band, after much disbelief at the size of a tiny van to get 10 days’ worth of military kit, instruments and personal kit packed inside (yet still managed it… just), finally set off on the 16-hour coach and ferry journey from London to Northern Ireland.

Wednesday 26 September

Today the Band arrived at Kinnegar Barracks at 7am with everyone glad to have arrived and with no one being seasick (although many very close to it). Once we had arrived and had a quick breakfast, we were back on a coach to a rehearsal for the Drumhead service for the disbandment of 19 Light Brigade.

After a long 24 hours the warm coach journey back to barracks after a rather cold rehearsal, was too much for some with many of the Band having a competition as to who could curl themselves up into a ball the fastest, and snore the loudest!

Thursday 27 September

The first music event since the Band arrived in Northern Ireland. After yesterday’s rehearsal not going quite to plan due to doziness from travelling, everyone was slightly on edge as to whether or not it would all slot into place. Luckily with a goodnight sleep the Band managed to step up a gear and produce the goods required!

As you can gather so far since the start of this tour, nothing seemed to be going our way. The parade was due to finish at 4:30pm in time for us to head over to our concert in the evening. However at 5:20pm we were still on parade! At 5:30pm the Band quickly got changed and jumped on the bus to head to our first concert in Belfast.

Friday 28 September

Friday morning was the first time the Band had some downtime since the start of the Tour. For most of the Band this involved sleeping. Friday evening the Band headed to Westbourne church, Belfast. Finding the venue was easier said than done, and after arriving at 2 different churches, the 3^rd attempt was slightly more successful.

As with all our concerts out in Northern Ireland, each programme of music included something new, something old, something borrowed and something green! Tonight’s performance included Musician Peter Batai playing a fantastic solo on the oboe called The Watermill and Lance-Sergeant Richard Lorimer playing Lord of the Dance on a penny whistle.

Saturday 29 September

After a hectic start to the tour the Band was looking forward to a more relaxing day, with a Band workshop being held on the camp with potential musicians. Many talented young musicians turned up and rehearsed music for a performance for the families in the afternoon.

Sunday 30 September

During the morning the Band had an impromptu visit to the Titanic Experience Centre in Belfast to celebrate the centenary of the sinking of this legendary ship. The Band had a chance to have pictures taken on the ‘mock up’ of the Grand Staircase, and to play in the foyer to visitors. In evening the Band performed the first of two concerts at the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn. This again was another fantastic concert for the Band.

Monday 1 October

We headed off to take part in two school concerts in the town of Ballymena. The school children enjoyed the Regimental Mascot Conmael, and the Marching Band (with their funny hats), however one unsuspecting pupil had the shock of her life, when a member of the trombone section dragged her on stage to serenade her.

The Evening Concert included the Royal Irish TA Band’s folk ensemble.

Tuesday 2 October

Tuesday Morning saw another well deserved morning off, as now halfway through the tour (and with the Director of Music’s jokes not getting any better!) the Band were starting to get Tour fatigue.

The concert in the evening was at Elim Church, Bangor. This concert was with the Bangor Ladies Choir, and had the theme of “Best of British” and “Last Night of the Proms”. With Union flags being waved to Land of Hope and Glory, and Rule Britannia.

Wednesday 3 October

Today the Band took part in a Disbandment Parade at Palace Barracks. Although up the road, with a rehearsal at 7am the Band was not quite so eager about leaving at 6:45am. So with many a sleepy eye and all wrapped up warm, the Band, all dressed up in Barrack dress and combat jackets (and numerous thermal layers underneath) formed up to march the Battalion on parade for the last time.

With the evening’s concert at Enniskillen, the Band had to be on the road early afternoon to arrive there to set up and rehearse. Upon arrival the Band set up in what can only be described as a meeting place for the Women’s Institute back in the 1970’s. However, like everywhere else we have performed so far on this tour, the place was packed out to the rafters.

Thursday 4 October

On this day a medal parade for 38 Engineer Regiment, who had just arrived back from Afghanistan (to be greeted by cold, wet and foggy British weather).

In the evening the Band went back to the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn for their second concert at the venue (as the first was a complete sell out). With it being the last concert of the tour the Band was looking to be on form and focused to make this the best concert yet.The Band certainly delivered.

A final farewell to the Regimental Mascot Conmael.

Friday 5 October

Today is a sad day for the Band as they head down to Dublin, to say goodbye to the Regimental Mascot, as he retires from duty. Part of the retirement included a marching display, as well as the handover of duties from the old dog to the new 3-month-old puppy.

In the evening the Band headed off for their final event of the tour, at the K Club Golf Resort in Dublin. The Band took part in a Beating Retreat Ceremony, on the freshly watered grass. This made the marching element of the Beating Retreat an interesting experience, trying to get grip on the boggy grass.

Saturday 6 October

At 2am the band boarded the coach for the last time, and headed back to the mainland (and all things familiar!). Another interesting and successful tour completed.

Beating Retreat and Trooping of the Colour

Paul Johnson is a musician in the Band of the Irish Guards based at Wellington Barracks in central London. The Irish Guards band is one of the five foot guards bands that make up the Household Division.

What an interesting week it has been! The most exciting time of year for any musician serving in the Household Division…

Beating Retreat

Beating Retreat is a military ceremony dating back to the 16th century, and was first used in order to recall nearby patrolling units to their castle. In the 21st century, the Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade is now a musical spectacular.

Lt Col Stephen Barnwell had a dream of something a little different and special for the show this year, with it being a special 200-year anniversary for the 1812 Overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and also the 30-year anniversary of the Falklands war.

On both 13 and 14 June 2012 at 8:30 pm, the Massed Bands formed up on Birdcage Walk in a new formation. Instead of the usual 20 trombones across the front, the Massed Bands formed up with 10 trombones on the front rank, with another rank of 10 trombones behind them. As a trombone player, I found this very interesting. Usually on the front rank, this time I had to actually watch my dressing from not only left to right, but from the man in front. I also feel sorry for the trombones on the front rank having the remainder of the very eager and rather noisy trombone section behind them!

Beating Retreat

The Massed Bands stepped off to the rousing march of Earls Court, breaking into the march Military Escort as they wheeled onto Horse Guards Parade. (It’s easier to wheel in ‘straight lines’ when there are only 10 in the front rank.) Upon hitting the gravel at Horse Guards Parade, the Massed Bands performed a new manoeuvre called the ‘Barnwell Explosion’, in which the two ranks of 10 trombones opened out into one rank of 20 trombones.

Two parts of the show really stood out for me. The Royal Omani Mounted Bagpipers were fantastic! With the men and women all in very bright colours, it certainly bought variety to the show. The finale sequence also stood out for me because, unlike previous years, fireworks were used. There was also cannon fire in the middle of the 1812 Overture, and musket fire by the Moscow Militia.

Trooping of the Colour

Every year the Massed Bands of the Household Division take part in the Queen’s Birthday Parade. This year, like every other year, the Bands spend most of June rehearsing the music and the drill (and the standing still on parade) in preparation for this prestigious event.

With all the Queen’s celebrations, it has been rather hectic this year to organise time to rehearse for this parade as well as for the Jubilee. However, as they do every year, and with a little help from the Garrison Sergeant Major, the Massed Bands provided excellent music for the Trooping of the Colour.

Trooping of the Colour

This Troop for me has been rather special – my third one since passing out of training and my second one on the front rank of trombones. For some in the band, this was their first Troop, as we have had many posted in from other bands in the Corps of Army Music.

It is always a fantastic experience to be stood on the front rank whilst royalty inspect the Bands and the Guards on Parade: not only Her Majesty the Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, but also other royals, including HRH The Duke of Cambridge, who is the Irish Guards Colonel of the Regiment.

Spring drills and shamrocks

The band marches back to barracks on Memorial Sunday.

Paul Johnson is a musician in the Band of the Irish Guards based at Wellington Barracks in central London. The Irish Guards band is one of the five foot Guards’ bands that form the Household Division.

March 2012

Welcome to my second blog of the year! I would like to start this month with a parish notice. Since my last blog, the band said farewell to WO1 (BSM) Stuart Forgie after a distinguished career in the Micks. I would like to wish him all the best for the future!

This has been a rather interesting month for the band. One of the first gigs for the band was the Irish Guards Memorial Sunday (Black Sunday for the old and bold amongst us!). This is an annual parade for the past and present members of the Irish Guards to reflect and remember fallen comrades. The band marched the procession down to the Guards Memorial, for wreath laying, before marching back to the barracks.

St Patricks Day

On a more cheery note another date close to every Irishman’s heart is St Patrick’s Day. Last year the battalion were in Afghanistan on Operational duties, but happily this year we met them in Aldershot where HRH the Duchess of Cambridge presented us all with shamrocks.

Spring drills

Every spring the Foot Guards prepare for the summer season by brushing up on their personal drill – appropriately named ‘spring drills’. Throughout the year we attempt to achieve maximum pomp and ceremony with a stately pace of 116 beats per minute whilst marching. This dignified and elegant profile is certainly not maintained during spring drills when the Band regularly break the speed of sound and Einstein’s equations are fully tested as the Band become a blur or sweat and tears marching around without instruments!! This often leads to fits of giggles especially when someone turns the wrong way. Once this refresher training is complete the Regt Adjutant inspects the Band in their best ceremonial uniform. This is then followed by the Major General’s inspection a week later and this year he was particularly pleased with the turnout of the Band – well done the Micks!

Another interesting engagement this month occurred when we were invited to be part of the Foot Guards ‘Freedom of the City’ parade in Birmingham. This is an ancient honour given to regiments allowing them the privilege to march into the city “with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed”. Although this is now just a ceremonial honour, it still remains the oldest and one of the highest civic honours. So at 6am on a rather clear and crisp morning the Band took the trip up to Birmingham to march on the cobbled streets (with studded boots leading to much slipping and sliding around). After leading the parade through the city centre we were invited to a dinner with the Lord Mayor. It was a great event and supported well by many veterans and local people.

The band marches off parade after passing Major-General’s inspection with flying colours!”

One of the first gigs

Marching from the darkness on to a floodlit parade square

Paul Johnson is a musician in the Band of the Irish Guards based at Wellington Barracks in central London. The Irish Guards band is one of the five foot Guards’ bands that form the Household Division.

New opportunity

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! A year that is going to be very busy and eventful for those within the Household Division Bands, with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Trooping the Colour, Household Division Beating Retreat and the Olympics to name but a few!

A New Year opens a new opportunity for the Household Division Bands and in particular the Irish Guards Band who are now on the Army Blog (this being my first one of hopefully many), and the band going live on Twitter: @IrishGuardsBand.

One of the first gigs of 2012 was to take part in the ‘dine out’ of our now old (he has retired from the Army) Director of the Corps of Army Music (CAMUS). The Band of the Irish Guards was asked to provide a marching display, a ten-piece brass ensemble and a fanfare team for this memorable occasion.

On a particularly cold evening on the 13th January at 7.20pm, feeling colder than a shaved husky and wondering whether our instruments might fix themselves permanently to our chops, the band marched from complete darkness on to a flood lit parade square at Kneller Hall, Twickenham, the Home of Army Music for over 150 years, playing a rousing march. The band played pieces including 76 trombones (minus 71 we only have 5 trombones in our band), whilst performing some rather complex marching routines.

The Irish Guards' Band ten-piece brass ensemble play for the dinner guests

During the Dinner the Irish Guards Band ten-piece brass ensemble were asked to provide background music (easier said than done with ten very eager brass players). Pieces included a transcribed version of Florentiner March with a difference, Maleguena and the trombone feature So Nice to Come Home To.

Euphonium solo

The normal custom at the end of the meal is for the band to provide after dinner entertainment. As this was a special event, the band decided to do it a little different by having guest soloists come in. Musician Brendan Wheeler (HC&C Band) performed a euphonium solo called ‘Neath Dublin skies, Lance Corporal Rachel Smith (Coldstream Gds) performed a flute solo Fantasia by Faure and a lone piper from 19 Regt RA performed Highland Cathedral. 

As this was a very special occasion a fanfare, which included snippets of the Commandant’s career to date, was written and dedicated by the School Bandmaster WO1 Frost. This included a special solo item by the Commandant himself of playing the triangle at important moments in the piece (something the commandant undertook with his uttermost musical professionalism of an officer from the Military Police).