Top men in their professions. Love the uniforms. Long live Britannia! British Society needs to accept and begin to respect the Armed forces more. Because I'm seeing a decline in appreciation in the younger generation today for all these brave men and women.
Let me just clear a few things up, I am currently serving as a military musician and we all undergo the same initial basic training that every serving soldier does, following musical training we are then placed into one of the 23 regular army bands, one of which is the welsh guards band seen here. Our job is to provide music support and a public face to the British Army. Not all Drum Majors are serving infantrymen, the Infantry Corps of Drums of which you speak are not featured in this video.
Also the percussionists in this band are just like any other members of the band, professional musicians and members of the Corps of Army music. We do go on operational tours of Afghanistan etc in a variety of roles, medics, drivers, close protection etc. I have toured Helmand province as a part of a Rock band, providing some much need morale for our troops on the very front line patrol bases. Hope this clears up some of the myths about what we do, forgive us for not remembering our music!!
Great Video! And again marches are: "Sons Of The Brave" by Thomas Bidgood 00:00 "Arnhem" by Albert Edward Kelly 01:55 "Europe United" by Wilheim Zehle 04:28 "HM Jollies" by Kenneth Alford 04:52 "Colchester Castle" by Earl Brigham 06:04 "Glorious Victory" by Walter Kendall 08:43
I’m afraid there is some confusion here. This is not a show band, this is a military band. Their task is to provide musical support to the ceremony, look good and sound great, and that’s what they do. It’s not like this is some kind of a college competition, with gaudy outfits and dancing flag girls. These are professionals who know their priorities, which are to perform in a dignified and musically immaculate manner, and that’s why they are admired and recognized worldwide.
@Mickguardmod63 This is becoming a VIP channel! Three Drum Majors commenting my videos. I’m honoured. Thank you so much for your kind words, Alan. I presumed the big boys were in London for the wedding and the DM duties in Windsor were in the hands of stand-ins like in my video of the Scots Guards (who did it brilliantly, by the way) That’s why I was happy to see a Major Leagues DM parading with the Welsh Guards Band and that’s why I asked for your identity. Thanks again and congratulations.
Without belittling the Corps of Drums musical capacities, they are not professional musicians. I presume some of them play by ear, which make music cards useless. On the other hand, the musician who play the big drum or the snare drum or the cymbals in the band can perfectly well play the vibraphone solo in a concert the next day, or a violin, a piccolo or an oboe as a (mandatory) second instrument. These soldiers are real musicians, and pretty good ones too. You have my highest respect, Sir.
@catham6 Thank You for posting Your massage. A lot of people do not know this. These soldiers are of course not a bunch of parading musicians payed by the Armed Forces of the UK just to put up a show. They are risking their lives every day fighting for our freedom. I am ever so greatful for what they are doing.,
+Kathleen Kehoe, it's a blue plume, not green but you're right he is Irish Guards Drom Major, Thw Welsh Guards Drum Major more than Likely was on a course or on operational tour. It happens often in the regimental bands as they are not entirely front line troops, unless there's a war. The Drum Majors are pretty interchangeable.I was in the Coldstream Guards for fifteen years though not in the regimental band but as an infantry soldier.
@bgrobin66 in guards bands the drum majors are not band members but in royal artiller royal engineers ,royal signals and the likes they are band members..reference holding up trombones you do it by tilting your head and neck backwards not arching your back ,tricks of the trade you dont get backs then
Sorry I dont want you to think I'm having a moan at you; so many people out there have no idea what we do for a living, including many serving military personnel! Like you say, the corps of drums certainly do deserve appreciation - learning pieces by ear and with very little formal training. The Household Division Drum Majors are also serving infantrymen whereas the other 18 bands have Drum Majors selected from within their own ranks who pass the same drill course that the infantry guardsmen do.
You just try playing 6 marches on trombone, with no drum corps to back you up, I bet you would be "minesweeping" Cornets used become very heavy too on a "Double Chelsea" with no drum corps, and no drum sequences between marches, just a five pace roll in which to change march cards. The bands were a lot bigger in my day, pre 1993 Guards Bands used to march 6 abreast, 9 deep with 2 complete rows of cornets.
@emptyangel The street liners take turns with their opposite number to march to the end of their half company and back to stretch their legs. They do this after the procession has gone by and before it returns.
Not at all. I'm totally on your side and my intention was to prove exactly what you are saying. I'm very grateful you are verifying it. I'm afraid there was some confusion with the term "drummer", though, but it's OK. Concerning the DMs, I was referring only to the five infantry regimental bands of the Household Division. I think the Corporal Majors in the Cavalry are professional musicians and members of the band too. Thanks again for your clarifying words.
The bands play quite a number of marches, within a week they can easily play up to 30 different marches. So I'd imagine it would be quite impractical for them to memorise their music instead of playing it on the fly.
I didn't mean to be rude, and honestly, I don't think I was. I was only emphazasing something I wrote a couple of times before, and apparently wasn't read or understood. If I offended you, accept my apologies, even though I find your reaction a little disproportionate. I think the main confusion comes from the fact that people think that Drum Majors are part of the Band, which they are not. By the way, I have all episodes of "For Queen and Country". Excellent program. Thanks.
@adelaide102 Well yes I agree standards have not been at the best. Anyway, I didn't know the street liners went for 'little walks'? I don't think I've ever seen this.
They are not first and foremost infantrymen or women They are recruited into the Army as musicians and have to pass auditions as musicians.Once accepted they undergo basic army training in field craft and weapons handling and drill before going on to Kneller Hall for up to 2 years musical training. Their military role is to provide first aid and casualty evacuation in an operational role. They are not fully trained as infantry, you are not correct.
Thank you very much for your explanation. Being you an army musician there is nothing I can add to your message, except perhaps that nobody is taking away the soldier status of military musicians. Concerning the drummers, when you say they’re not all serving infantry men, you mean some of them are not deployed anymore as fighting soldiers (NCOs), like Steven Staite, or that they were not trained for the job? The mention to the Corps of Drums was only related to the DM activities, not the video.
Apparently you didn’t read my previous message but that’s OK. If that’s what you want to think, you obviously are free to do so. The only thing that I resent a bit is the belittling tone used to describe Army musicians as “a bunch of parading musicians payed [sic] by the Armed Forces of the UK just to put up a show”. There are many professions inside the Armed Forces which not include engaging in combat which are as honourable and deserving of gratitude and respect as the fighting troops.
I know the Welsh Guards up close and personal (my boyfriend is a colour sgt) and I have to ask you lot to stop pissing about and just enjoy ... They are soldiers first and foremost, the music is a pleasant diversion from what they have to endure in the name of the US Money God.
A lot of the Guards trombonists have trouble holding their instrument up these days. Maybe because they nearly all use trombones with F attachments which ad to the weight. The overall look of the band does suffer with trombones pointing at such an angle to the ground.
This is becoming a little stressing. I repeat what I wrote earlier, although with little hope of being read or understood. The members of the Corps of Drums, including the Drum Majors, ARE fighting soldiers first and foremost; the members of the Band ARE NOT. How difficult can that be?
@adelaide102 I don't think they're required to hold their trombones parallel to the ground? At least that's not what I gather from looking at footage of the bands, past and present.
Thank you for your message but I'm afraid it's not exactly as you say. These are soldiers, of course, and have to undergo the proper military training before entering the band, but their main task is playing music. Their participation in operations is limited. Some of them might be deployed as general duty support soldiers in war zones but, generally, not as fighting soldiers, which doesn’t take anything away from their achievement. This doesn’t apply to drummers or Drum Majors, by the way.
@emptyangel Trombones pointing to the ground in a marching band do not look as smart, never seen it years ago.The standards are not as high these days. It's about making it easier and easier. The street liners on Queen's Birthday Parade are allowed to go for a little walk to ease their bones, never happened years ago. Household Cavalry liners at The Garter Ceremony now parade without breastplates or jackboots to make it easier !
@elkartian That comment about the trombones mine sweeping is hilarious. Holding a trombone horizontal with mother earth is very demanding. Oddly enough it affects the muscles in your back. Question...is it true that the drum majors are not members of the band?
Well put, but the Welsh Guards Regiment was not the subject of the debate here. Only the band. If your boyfriend doesn't play the clarinet, he probably won't feel offended.
have you ever wondered why the queen only has welsh men gaurding her ? ill tell you becourse all welsh blood is royal blood the queen claims to be welsh desent
Still no excuse. I would consider them semi-professional. As such, it would look much better without their heads in the music and horn angles pointing to the ground. Just my opinion, though.
Top men in their professions. Love the uniforms.
Long live Britannia!
British Society needs to accept and begin to respect the Armed forces more. Because I'm seeing a decline in appreciation in the younger generation today for all these brave men and women.
DM does a fantastic job, and and makes it all look so easy! Congrats! (Ex Scots Band 1971-5)
Let me just clear a few things up, I am currently serving as a military musician and we all undergo the same initial basic training that every serving soldier does, following musical training we are then placed into one of the 23 regular army bands, one of which is the welsh guards band seen here. Our job is to provide music support and a public face to the British Army. Not all Drum Majors are serving infantrymen, the Infantry Corps of Drums of which you speak are not featured in this video.
Thank you again, Scott, for your great information.
Also the percussionists in this band are just like any other members of the band, professional musicians and members of the Corps of Army music. We do go on operational tours of Afghanistan etc in a variety of roles, medics, drivers, close protection etc. I have toured Helmand province as a part of a Rock band, providing some much need morale for our troops on the very front line patrol bases. Hope this clears up some of the myths about what we do, forgive us for not remembering our music!!
This is a great video, thanks.
Thank you for your comment. BTW, it's the guards who are great. I just show them at work. :)
Two of my favourite marches- HM Jollies followed by Colchester Castle. Excellent video!
DMaj Harvey perfect style and movements.
sons of the brave", arnhem", europe united" , HM jollies" , colchester castle", glorious victory".
Great Video! And again marches are:
"Sons Of The Brave" by Thomas Bidgood 00:00
"Arnhem" by Albert Edward Kelly 01:55
"Europe United" by Wilheim Zehle 04:28
"HM Jollies" by Kenneth Alford 04:52
"Colchester Castle" by Earl Brigham 06:04
"Glorious Victory" by Walter Kendall 08:43
Yes, and your opinion is highly valued. You are obviously a very modest person, whom has much to be modest about!!!!
Retired drum major Alan Harvey Irish guards, Leading the band of Welsh guards
I miss him
I’m afraid there is some confusion here. This is not a show band, this is a military band. Their task is to provide musical support to the ceremony, look good and sound great, and that’s what they do. It’s not like this is some kind of a college competition, with gaudy outfits and dancing flag girls. These are professionals who know their priorities, which are to perform in a dignified and musically immaculate manner, and that’s why they are admired and recognized worldwide.
@Mickguardmod63 This is becoming a VIP channel! Three Drum Majors commenting my videos. I’m honoured. Thank you so much for your kind words, Alan. I presumed the big boys were in London for the wedding and the DM duties in Windsor were in the hands of stand-ins like in my video of the Scots Guards (who did it brilliantly, by the way) That’s why I was happy to see a Major Leagues DM parading with the Welsh Guards Band and that’s why I asked for your identity. Thanks again and congratulations.
Without belittling the Corps of Drums musical capacities, they are not professional musicians. I presume some of them play by ear, which make music cards useless. On the other hand, the musician who play the big drum or the snare drum or the cymbals in the band can perfectly well play the vibraphone solo in a concert the next day, or a violin, a piccolo or an oboe as a (mandatory) second instrument. These soldiers are real musicians, and pretty good ones too. You have my highest respect, Sir.
@catham6
Thank You for posting Your massage. A lot of people do not know this. These soldiers are of course not a bunch of parading musicians payed by the Armed Forces of the UK just to put up a show. They are risking their lives every day fighting for our freedom. I am ever so greatful for what they are doing.,
+Kathleen Kehoe, it's a blue plume, not green but you're right he is Irish Guards Drom Major, Thw Welsh Guards Drum Major more than Likely was on a course or on operational tour. It happens often in the regimental bands as they are not entirely front line troops, unless there's a war. The Drum Majors are pretty interchangeable.I was in the Coldstream Guards for fifteen years though not in the regimental band but as an infantry soldier.
@bgrobin66 in guards bands the drum majors are not band members but in royal artiller royal engineers ,royal signals and the likes they are band members..reference holding up trombones you do it by tilting your head and neck backwards not arching your back ,tricks of the trade you dont get backs then
Thank you.
Sorry I dont want you to think I'm having a moan at you; so many people out there have no idea what we do for a living, including many serving military personnel! Like you say, the corps of drums certainly do deserve appreciation - learning pieces by ear and with very little formal training. The Household Division Drum Majors are also serving infantrymen whereas the other 18 bands have Drum Majors selected from within their own ranks who pass the same drill course that the infantry guardsmen do.
You just try playing 6 marches on trombone, with no drum corps to back you up, I bet you would be "minesweeping" Cornets used become very heavy too on a "Double Chelsea" with no drum corps, and no drum sequences between marches, just a five pace roll in which to change march cards. The bands were a lot bigger in my day, pre 1993 Guards Bands used to march 6 abreast, 9 deep with 2 complete rows of cornets.
@emptyangel The street liners take turns with their opposite number to march to the end of their half company and back to stretch their legs. They do this after the procession has gone by and before it returns.
Not at all. I'm totally on your side and my intention was to prove exactly what you are saying. I'm very grateful you are verifying it. I'm afraid there was some confusion with the term "drummer", though, but it's OK. Concerning the DMs, I was referring only to the five infantry regimental bands of the Household Division. I think the Corporal Majors in the Cavalry are professional musicians and members of the band too. Thanks again for your clarifying words.
Thank YOU!!!
Drum Major Alan Harvey, 1st Battalion Irish Guards leading The Band of the Welsh Guards
That is the bandmaster who replaces the Director of Music Welsh Guards.
Only the British can ❤
Has anyone got the full list of marches in this wonderful video please.
The bands play quite a number of marches, within a week they can easily play up to 30 different marches. So I'd imagine it would be quite impractical for them to memorise their music instead of playing it on the fly.
And St. David. Thanks for the sharing. USMC ret.
What is the name of the march at 6:06? It's realy a good march!!
The march is "Colchester Castle", composed by Earl Brigham, and I agree with you: it's a great march.
geen idee........maar mooie mars :)
Colchester castle
I didn't mean to be rude, and honestly, I don't think I was. I was only emphazasing something I wrote a couple of times before, and apparently wasn't read or understood. If I offended you, accept my apologies, even though I find your reaction a little disproportionate. I think the main confusion comes from the fact that people think that Drum Majors are part of the Band, which they are not. By the way, I have all episodes of "For Queen and Country". Excellent program. Thanks.
I think the first one was Sons of the Brave but not sure as it's partway through,
@adelaide102
Well yes I agree standards have not been at the best.
Anyway, I didn't know the street liners went for 'little walks'? I don't think I've ever seen this.
Bands of GB's military are outstanding with one exception, they dont memorize their music
They are not first and foremost infantrymen or women They are recruited into the Army as musicians and have to pass auditions as musicians.Once accepted they undergo basic army training in field craft and weapons handling and drill before going on to Kneller Hall for up to 2 years musical training. Their military role is to provide first aid and casualty evacuation in an operational role. They are not fully trained as infantry, you are not correct.
And the DM's mace drill is rather smart and crisp.
Thank you very much for your explanation. Being you an army musician there is nothing I can add to your message, except perhaps that nobody is taking away the soldier status of military musicians. Concerning the drummers, when you say they’re not all serving infantry men, you mean some of them are not deployed anymore as fighting soldiers (NCOs), like Steven Staite, or that they were not trained for the job? The mention to the Corps of Drums was only related to the DM activities, not the video.
whats the first march in the begin called ?
Thank you, adelaide102. I hope they listen to you. I'm afraid my messages remain unread.:)
they didn't ..they put the flight path over windsor castle ,yes i know it all comes out the same in the end
Superb!
Excellent .
Apparently you didn’t read my previous message but that’s OK. If that’s what you want to think, you obviously are free to do so. The only thing that I resent a bit is the belittling tone used to describe Army musicians as “a bunch of parading musicians payed [sic] by the Armed Forces of the UK just to put up a show”. There are many professions inside the Armed Forces which not include engaging in combat which are as honourable and deserving of gratitude and respect as the fighting troops.
Who is the bloke in the middle of the band behind the bass drummer whop is not playing an instrument?
Drum major Gareth chamber
Irish
Forgive me if I'm wrong but do you have to learn an instrument just to be a soldier? Where are the guns at?
I know the Welsh Guards up close and personal (my boyfriend is a colour sgt) and I have to ask you lot to stop pissing about and just enjoy ...
They are soldiers first and foremost, the music is a pleasant diversion from what they have to endure in the name of the US Money God.
What March are they playing at 5:27
Avery Cano - the band is playing from way before 5:27 but it's HM Jollies
"Sons of the Brave" by Thomas Bidgood
A lot of the Guards trombonists have trouble holding their instrument up these days. Maybe because they nearly all use trombones with F attachments which ad to the weight.
The overall look of the band does suffer with trombones pointing at such an angle to the ground.
This is becoming a little stressing. I repeat what I wrote earlier, although with little hope of being read or understood. The members of the Corps of Drums, including the Drum Majors, ARE fighting soldiers first and foremost; the members of the Band ARE NOT. How difficult can that be?
The Cymbal player memorized his/her music... why can't everyone else?
Could i have the name of the first march?
why is there a Irish drum Magor 38 seconds into the video he's Irish because has the green feather on his bareskin
the Irish Guards have a blue plume not green feather
Why are they lead by a DM from another regiment?
@adelaide102
I don't think they're required to hold their trombones parallel to the ground?
At least that's not what I gather from looking at footage of the bands, past and present.
Thank you for your message but I'm afraid it's not exactly as you say. These are soldiers, of course, and have to undergo the proper military training before entering the band, but their main task is playing music. Their participation in operations is limited. Some of them might be deployed as general duty support soldiers in war zones but, generally, not as fighting soldiers, which doesn’t take anything away from their achievement. This doesn’t apply to drummers or Drum Majors, by the way.
I had a small seizure because of the camera
He plays nothing apart from his big toe when he's go a bloke moment :D.
Thanks for replying!
@louislungbubble Please tell me you didn't think I was being serious.
@emptyangel Trombones pointing to the ground in a marching band do not look as smart, never seen it years ago.The standards are not as high these days. It's about making it easier and easier. The street liners on Queen's Birthday Parade are allowed to go for a little walk to ease their bones, never happened years ago. Household Cavalry liners at The Garter Ceremony now parade without breastplates or jackboots to make it easier !
Hard to beat a " Micks" Drummie!! God rest Dixie Deans MBE.
@arbuckle123 Re: DMaj. Irish Guards DMaj most likely W.A.Harvey.
I just cannot understand why they built Windsor Castle under the flight path of Heathrow airport.
@elkartian That comment about the trombones mine sweeping is hilarious. Holding a trombone horizontal with mother earth is very demanding. Oddly enough it affects the muscles in your back. Question...is it true that the drum majors are not members of the band?
Well if any of the guards are running late after a night out they can catch a plane back to barracks
Pleasure! LOL
Well put, but the Welsh Guards Regiment was not the subject of the debate here. Only the band. If your boyfriend doesn't play the clarinet, he probably won't feel offended.
have you ever wondered why the queen only has welsh men gaurding her ? ill tell you becourse all welsh blood is royal blood the queen claims to be welsh desent
Still no excuse. I would consider them semi-professional. As such, it would look much better without their heads in the music and horn angles pointing to the ground. Just my opinion, though.
Because they are not smart, talented and gifted like you!!! lol.
I hope the lads woke up this deadbeat town.