MASSED BANDS AND BUGLES OF THE RIFLES AT THE
ALBERT HALL
On 18th October 2012, the Massed Bands and Bugles of The Rifles come together for the first time in a musical extravaganza that will start to round off an unprecedented year of military band activity. The surge in popularity of military music has seen around 7,000 requests made for Army bands to attend events this year alone; nearly 5,000 engagements are being fulfilled and The Rifles’ appearance at the Albert Hall is set to be a highlight.
Appearing with the Rifles Bands and Bugles where the world-famous tenor, Wynne Evans, The Fijian Choir and the Pipes of the Brigade of Gurkhas. The evening was hosted by ex-war correspondent and ITV news presenter, Alastair Stewart.
This one-off performance was being held to mark 200 years of Rifles history and to celebrate the achievements of Riflemen past and present, not least most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. Significantly, it was being held in support of Care for Casualties, the Rifles’ Appeal that helps its wounded, their families and the families of the Fallen.
“The night was about telling the story of The Rifles since the Battle of Salamanca in 1812 through to its current role on Operations in Afghanistan”, comments Major Lawrence Sale, the regiment’s Director of Music. “This allows us to cover some iconic military music and play some of the more contemporary pieces to reflect not just the achievements of the regiment but also to acknowledge the price we have paid on the way. In true military music fashion, this will be an exhilarating and a poignant evening – and one which will clearly demonstrate the pride each man has in saying he is a Rifleman.”
“This is a huge night for us,” adds Lance Corporal Steve Duncombe, a musician who has now played at nearly 590 engagements since joining The Rifles band four years ago. “We’ve never had such a busy summer supporting medals parades, Jubilee celebrations and the Olympics, as well as all the county shows, regional concerts and other events we are asked to. I’ve been lucky enough to play all over the world from Kenya and the Falkland Islands to South Korea and Saudi Arabia, but I’ve never played at the Albert Hall and for all of us this is a career highlight".
Tenor Wynne Evans added: "For several reasons, the Forces are in the media a lot at the moment and I am so pleased to be able to show my support and thanks for everything that they do. I'm very proud to be making my debut with The Rifles, and in the wonderful setting of the Albert Hall. I know it will be a fantastic evening".
The music of The Rifles has a truly distinctive and unique sound. From the timeless ‘High on a Hill’ to the haunting ‘Last Post’, the sound of the bugle is at the very heart of the regiment. Dressed
in green jackets rather than scarlet and moving ‘at the double’, The Rifles pioneered the use of the bugle over 200 years ago as a way of communicating more quickly on the battlefields of the Peninsular War. A symbol of Riflemen ever since, the bugle is worn today as the cap-badge by every member of the Regiment, from General to newest recruit.
Care for Casualties:
Currently over £100,000 a year is being spent on meeting the needs of wounded Riflemen, their families and the families of the fallen and, through this Appeal, the Regiment is making provision for the future
Since The Rifles was formed in February 2007, over 62 Riflemen have been killed in action. In addition more than 30 have lost limbs, two are permanently blinded and two will require lifelong care in residential neurological units. Many others have been left with life changing physical injuries and mental trauma which will impact on their lives for years to come.
For all events, updates and other information go to: www.careforcasualties.org.uk
The Rifles:
The Rifles, the largest infantry regiment in the British Army, is a forward-looking organisation relying on mutual respect, self-discipline and a relentless desire for innovation.
The Regiment has five Regular battalions based in Chepstow, Northern Ireland, Edinburgh, Bulford and Germany, two TA battalions in London, the Home Counties and across the South West with further TA units based in Shropshire, Yorkshire and County Durham. Nearly one quarter of all Army Cadets wear The Rifles cap badge.
The Massed Bands and Bugles comprised of the Band of The Rifles, the two TA bands of 6 & 7 Rifles and the two cadet bands from Durham and Somerset, the Pipes of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Fijian Choir – approx. 250 musicians and buglers in total
There will be a CD of the events music as of date I am not sure when - WATCH THIS SPACE