The Waterloo Band & Bugles based at Edward Brooks Barracks in Abingdon together with the Salamanca Band & Bugles of 6 Rifles based in Exeter, had the honour of performing at the first Royal Garden Party given by King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday 3rd May in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
There are two military bands at each Garden Party and on this occasion, we shared the duties with the Band of HM Welsh Guards.
The sun shone on the Beautiful Gardens as the bands set up and waited for the invited guests to enter at 3pm. Once the event was underway both bands played a varied programme of music to provide entertainment the guests in attendance. At 4pm the National Anthem was played by the Band of HM Welsh Guards to mark the arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla who then met and mingled with the guests.
The Band & Bugles gathered an appreciative audience who were treated to a wide variety of music ranging from ‘Jersey Boys’, ‘Abba Gold to ‘Light Cavalry’ and tradition marches such as ‘Imperial Echoes’, which all demonstrate the versatility and capability of the contemporary military band.
It was a wonderful experience and a great honour to play for such at such a prestigious event and is an example of one of the many opportunities being an Army Reserve musician can offer.
The Waterloo Band & Bugles currently have vacancies for Cornets, Trombones, French Horns, Percussion and welcome enquiries from all brass and woodwind players of grade 6-8 standard.
We are also recruiting Buglers, if you have played the bugle or are interested in learning then we would like to hear from you.
To find out more about the benefits of being an Army Reserve Musician or Bugler, please contact Serjeant Alison Bright at recruiting-band@7rifles.co.uk.