Grenadier Guards Band

Infobox musical artist
Name = Grenadier Guards Band

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Img_size = 250
Background = Military Band
Alias = Band of the Grenadier Guards
Origin = flagicon|UK London, England, United Kingdom
URL = [http://www.army.mod.uk/music/corps-band/454.aspx Home of the Grenadier Guards Band]

The Band of the Grenadier Guards is the oldest of all of the bands in the British Army, with a history dating back over three hundred years.

History

In 1685 Charles II allowed the band to maintain 12 Hautbois players. 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 passing.

The size of the ensemble has changed over time, starting off with between twelve and nineteen players, in the 18th Century to a peak in numbers by the end of the 1970s with seventy musicians. Today there are 42 band members.

In 1872, the Band of the Grenadier Guards were the first British uniformed soldiers to enter the United States of America since the War of 1812. They last toured the United States of America in 2003, when they gave performances over a period of three months, at over sixty venues, visiting forty states. The Band often tours overseas and has visited Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia, and Australia.

Band membership duties

Musicians currently in the band have secondary roles in the British Army as Chemical Decontamination Assistants, Medics & Drivers.

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

Key personnel

*Director of Music: Major Barry Wassell
*Bandmaster: WO1 Chris King
*Band Sergeant Major: WO2 Andrew Wood

Ensembles

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 String Quartet, to Chamber Orchestra
* Dinner Trios and Quartets also number among the band's ensembles.

Events

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

* Beating Retreat
* Changing of the Guard
* The Festival of Remembrance
* Trooping of the Colour
* Investitures
* State Visits

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.

See also

* Coldstream Guards Band
* Irish Guards Band
* Scots Guards Band
* Welsh Guards Band
* Household Division

External links

* [http://www.army.mod.uk/music/corps-band/454.aspx Home of Grenadier Guards Band]

Video clips

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7391225.stm Being given the Freedom of the City of Lincoln in May 2008]