We spoke to Tidworth Army Band as they begin their public duties changing the guard in both London and Windsor.
British Army Band Tidworth
British Army Band Tidworth was formed in September 2019 and is one of three full time brass bands within the Royal Corps of Army Music. Its members include a specifically recruited cohort of musicians from the brass band movement as well as serving musicians with a keen interest in brass bands. The band has recently been invited to provide musical support for a local battalion of mechanical engineers who have been given the honour of mounting guard in the nation’s capital. The first Changing the Guard on Monday 13th September was a landmark occasion, being the first time a British brass band has performed public duties in Buckingham Palace; and as such was the perfect opportunity for British Army Band Tidworth post-lockdown to show what they were capable of.
Changing the Guard
Changing the guard is an iconic ceremony spectated by millions each year at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Carried out by active duty soldiers from the Foot Guards who have guarded Sovereign and Royal Palaces since 1660, the guard changing is, on occasion, carried out by troops from other units. The ceremony is accompanied by a full military band, in this case the first ever British Army brass band.
Brass for Africa
The Band’s debut duty was an equally auspicious moment for Jim Trott’s Brass for Africa program, where four alumni were performing for both bands on parade. Musicians Akampulira and Bogere from British Army Band Tidworth were joined by Musicians Namugera and Ssegawa from The Band of the Household Cavalry. The charity supports thousands of children across Uganda, Liberia and Rwanda through brass music education and it is a testament to the people involved with the charity that sees the Royal Corps of Army Music recruiting future brass players from its ranks.
Player views
The bands personnel are closely entwined with civilian brass bands. We have members currently registered to Flowers, Desford, Aldbourne, Woodfalls, Brunel and many others in the local area. Over half of the band’s strength are involved in playing or conducting brass bands and it’s a connection we are proud of and that helps set Army brass bands apart from their wind band counterparts. We asked some of our players for their opinions regarding the run of duties ahead:
Lance Corporal Ieuan Walton (BBb Bass, Flowers Band) - “It is a great tradition and I’m proud that we are the first British Army Brass Band to be doing it. It’s even more special to me as I am serving in the same band as my brother so I can share this experience with him. I am also excited for the public reaction of our brass band marching down the Mall.”
Musician Danny Jones (Solo Euphonium, Aldbourne Band) - “It’s a real chance for British Army Band Tidworth to put themselves on the map regarding our ability to not only make great music sat down but also on the march. Especially as brass bands hold such a long tradition within British music culture, with many of the band playing for some of the country’s finest civilian brass bands.”
Musician Louise Franks (Cornet, Woodfalls Band) - “We have a big task on our shoulders as the first British brass band to do public duties and it’s important that we put ourselves on the map and show that we can match up musically and professionally to the London bands who do this job all the time.”
Musical program
As well as the standard march fare for transit we have programmed some current offerings by leading composers/arrangers from the brass band world. Philip Harper’s invigorating ‘The Night of the Tiger’ is a sure-fire hit with the public as is Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s arrangement of ‘Nobody Does It Better’. Also from Paul we are bringing the public ‘Walking with Heroes’, a piece that really showcases what a brass band can do in terms of its technical reach and hopefully stand us apart from the usual wind band pieces on display.
Closing thoughts
It has been a long journey in getting the band fit for the upcoming run of duties in London but now the first performance at Buckingham Palace is under the belt it’s onwards and upwards. The band has relished the work involved to prepare, much as in the same way as contest preparations focus the mind for the job ahead. The brass band ethos that is ever present within this band is what sets us apart from the other British Army wind bands. There is a huge sense of pride and responsibility upon the shoulders of the band, to showcase Army brass bands in a good light but also the wider brass band movement of which we all belong. For now the band is looking forward to bringing the public the best it has to offer and reminding people that the brass band is part of our heritage and it is ever musically enjoyable, present and progressive.
BBE member? You can find out more about what it takes to be a musician in the British Army in our recorded webinar resource.