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Based in Huddersfield, our Army Reserve Band is made up of a close-knit team of 30 superbly qualified, degree-standard musicians. From schoolteachers and professional orchestras, members of the Band are required to commit to at least 27 days a year to Army Reserve service.
This year’s Annual Continuous Training (ACT) saw the Band support the annual Nijmegen Marches in the Netherlands. The Four Day Marches saw the Band working alongside the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas performing for 45,000 people, all of whom were marching up to 40km’s a day. The need to motivate the marching contingent led to early mornings and the Band had struck up by 0430hrs each day, in order to march 8,000 international military participants out of Camp Heumensoord
In the second phase of our ACT, the Band performed for five days at the prestigious Glorious Goodwood Festival at Goodwood racecourse, giving our musicians the opportunity to expand their repertoire and wow the racegoers, even in the face of some unfavourable weather conditions. We, along with other visiting reserve band musicians, performed throughout the day, including the Fanfare Team announcing the main race of the day.
Once again, The Band performed at the Regimental Cocktail Party during the Great Yorkshire Show, encapsulating the essence of Yorkshire pride and heritage. This event coincided with our commitment to nurturing the next generation of musical talents in an open rehearsal for potential recruits. Aspiring military musicians were gathered in Huddersfield, delving into a range of arrangements and gaining an insight into life as a reserve musician, leading to the welcoming of some new recruits.
Finally, we bid a fond farewell to our Bandmaster, Warrant Officer Class 1 Alex Brannan on his well-deserved retirement. Over the past 15 years, he has been an inspirational and steadfast leader, instrumental in shaping the Band since its formation in 2008. We deeply appreciate his invaluable service and unwavering leadership.
Alongside our usual commitments, the Band congratulates Musicians Alex Windwood and Jasmine Evans on their wedding, which was officiated by Rev’d Maj Ben Norton. We welcomed back Cpl Stacy and Cpl Walsh, our Canadian counterparts who previously collaborated with us from the Fusiliers de Sherbrooke Band and after four years since their last visit to Yorkshire, the reunion reaffirmed our strong ties with our Canadian allies.
Here is just a taste of what the Band of The Royal Yorkshire Regiment have been doing!