This evening, I was delighted to be amongst those who attended the annual concert by the The Band of The Royal Yeomanry (Inns of Court & City Yeomanry) in Guildhall Yard.
This annual public event showcases wonderful performances by the symphonic military wind band who form part of the British Army Reserve forces. The band hold the honour of being one of only two Army Reserve State Bands in the British Army.
Within the band are a Fanfare Team, Clarinet and Saxophone Quartets, Wind and Brass Quintets, Jazz and Swing Bands.
The Band of The Royal Yeomanry (Inns of Court & City Yeomanry) is one of the oldest and finest in the Army Reserve. Formed in 1961 from the amalgamation of the Inns of Court Regiment and The City of London Yeomanry, the band can trace its regimental history back to 1548 with the raising of The Inns of Court Regiment (The Regiment of Lawyers) as an association of volunteers to assist in the defence of the country against the threatened Spanish invasion. It was first commanded by Sir Thomas Egeton who was later to become Lord Chancellor of England.
The City of London Yeomanry (The Rough Riders) is much younger and was raised in 1900 as mounted infantry to fight in the Boer War. Both Regiments served with distinction in the First and Second World Wars.
Since 1961, the band became known as The Band of The Royal Yeomanry (Inns of Court & City Yeomanry), and still maintains its distinctive ceremonial uniform of French blue jacket and trousers, chain mailed shoulders, George boots and spurs, all topped off with our flamboyant Chapka helmets.
Over the years, the band has performed at many important commemorative events. These have included D-Day parades in Normandy as well as having travelled to the United States, Hong Kong, Germany, and Switzerland. The Lord Mayor’s Show and Remembrance Sunday parade are of course permanent fixtures in the calendar. We have also played at Twickenham Stadium for the 6 Nations Rugby tournament and have started performing regular concerts at the Guards’ Chapel, London.
Away from music making, the band can also get involved in paid Adventure Training! From skiing in France, to skydiving over Devon, rock climbing in Wales, to sailing across the Solent.
If you are an experienced musician and wish to make music while being paid in a professional Army Reserve band, then you can contact the band using the details below:
Telephone: 02074 268364
Email: ry-bandmailbox@mod.gov.uk
Address: Holderness House ARC, 51-61 Clifton Street, London, EC2A 4EY
