Band of The Blues and Royals hat better way to start the year than a brisk march up Windsor High Street to mount the Guard at Windsor Castle? Even on the chilly morning of January 2nd, an enthusiastic crowd, comprising mainly of Japanese tourists, had braved the frost to marvel at the ceremony outside the Castle Guardroom. The first of many Guards during the month of January, this engagement served to ‘blow out the cob-webs’ from the Band instruments following a relaxing Christmas Break.
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Notable events during the month of January included The Brass Quintet, (who alongside the State Trumpeters are probably amongst the busiest members of the Band), providing light background music at a fund raising event at The Bank of England. It was also The Band’s first visit of the year for a spot of ‘Square Bashing’ on ‘Gods’ Acre’ for a Passing Out Parade at the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright. After quite a routine start to the year, a Cabaret Marching Display at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London was a welcome addition to the diary, (not least as this was a Category IV - fee-paying engagement!) Then came February. The cobwebs had now gone, the musicians were back into performance mode and the senior management were back into the swing of the administrative jungle. The steady stream of potential future Household Cavalry musicians was now starting to arrive in the form of work experience placements. Over the year, the band was to accommodate 19 youngsters ranging from ages 15 – 26. Following participation in band rehearsals, informal auditions and formal interviews, some successful candidates are already in the Phase 1 Military Training, (transition from civilian to Soldier), two recruits are currently at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall starting Phase 2 Musical Training, (from Soldier to Musician) and two are currently undergoing the B3 Mounted Dutymans Course - a Household Cavalry Musician is now born. The Band is always pleased to assist the Metropolitan Police with their enquiries, but especially pleased to provide musical support to their many passing out parades at their Training centre in Hendon. The parades bear an uncanny similarity to those of the Army. Was that an ex-Grenadier Guards Drill Sergeant marching up and down the square? Multiple Choice Question: “What do you call a musician with a SA80”?
WO2 Howe leads the Band following a Windsor Castle Guard.
a - SIR! b - Bugsy Malone’s Piano Player. c - Anything you want, but run like mad. d - The Blues and Royals Band on the Ranges. It was that time of year – ITD’s. To say that the band managed a 100% pass rate would be a slight exaggeration, but considering the time constraints and the busy diary we achieved great success. The stringed instruments were again dusted off during the month of March for a number of Investitures at Buckingham Palace. After a well-received concert for The Royal British Legion in Bleanavon, it was time to start thinking about matters Equine. Just to get the band members in the mood for the forthcoming Summer Season’s marathon sessions in the saddle, the band embarked on an 8-hour coach journey to North Yorkshire to provide musical support for
a passing out parade in Catterick Garrison. Many thanks are extended to the designers of the Army ‘White Rhino’ coach seats as this was the perfect acclimatisation process for posterior readjustment in readiness for G10 Saddles. During most of March and April, The Bandmaster, Mr Griffiths, was in Pakistan heading a Short Term Training Team at their Army School of Music in the mountains of Abbottabad. On his return, his horsemanship was a little ropey, but he could certainly cook a pretty good chicken madras. Thanks are extended to the Riding Master and his staff for allowing the Bandmaster to enjoy a comfortable ride on ‘Polka’. The Mounted Season was now upon us with rehearsals for The Major Generals Review, The Queen’s Birthday Parade and of course The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Massed with the Band of The Life Guards, The Blues and
WO2 (BCM) Kitching leads the Band for the final time following the Garter Service in June 2002.
Household Cavalry Regiment 25