Band of the Irish Guards

Irish Guards Band

 

 The Band on St. Patrick’s Day 1909

The Band of the Irish Guards was formed in 1900 and quickly gained a reputation for excellence. On the outbreak of the First World War the Band was kept very busy sustaining morale at home and encouraging recruitment. In 1916, and 1917 it took turn with the other Foot Guards bands to undertake a three-month tour of duty with the Guards Division in France and Belgium, giving numerous concerts to the men during their periods of rest and recuperation. In May 1917 the Band was part of the Massed Bands that made a visit to Paris at the request of the French government and this was the first time that all five Foot Guards bands appeared on parade together.

During the Second World War the Band sailed to Algiers in 1943 and gave numerous concerts to the troops during the North African and Italian campaigns, reaching Naples, and finally returning home in 1944. In 1948, the Band travelled to Palestine to support the Guards battalions involved in the troubles. In more recent times, three members of the Band served in the first Gulf War of 1990/91, and in June 1999 the Band deployed to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping force.

Over the years the Band has toured extensively, from their eleven-week coast-to-coast tour of North America in 2010, to visiting Canada in 2013 and Denmark in 2017.  Quintets from the band have also provided musical support in Pakistan, Israel and Cyprus. When the Irish Guards celebrated its centenary in 2000, the Band made history by performing a concert in the National Concert Hall in Dublin with the Irish Defence Force’s Number One Band. This was the first visit to Ireland by a British Army band since 1922 and was a great success, filling the 1,200-seat hall to capacity. A number of former Band members have continued their careers with national orchestras, including the Hallé Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

 

Presentation of Colours in 2009 at Windsor Castle

Throughout its proud history the Band’s prime duty has been to play for the ‘Changing the Guard’ at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and it has always been at the forefront of all great national occasions, whether joyful, such as Coronations, Jubilees, Birthday Parades and National Celebrations, or perfectly reflecting the sombre mood at State Funerals or remembrance events.

Last year the band performed in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, as well as travelling to Australia with the tattoo to perform alongside the Royal Marine and Royal Air Force musicians in a Tri-Service band. The band has served crown and country faithfully for over one-hundred years and continues to maintain its traditions whilst producing a musical output of the highest quality to this day.

 

 

The Regimental Band of the Irish Guards - May 2022

 

Director of Music:

Captain N Skipper

 

Band Sergeant Major:

Warrant Officer Class II P Scott

 

Flutes / Piccolos:

Colour Sergeant J R Lorimer (Principal)

Musician N King

 

Oboe:

Sergeant O Blackman

 

Clarinets:

Lance Sergeant D Wong(Principal)

Colour Sergeant K Laishley

Lance Sergeant R Lewis

Lance Sergeant J Nethercott

Lance Corporal B Anthony

Lance Corporal R Jackeman

Musician N Bell

Musician A Swift

Musician J Wilson

 

Saxophones:

Lance Sergeant C Deacon (Principal)

Sergeant A Barras

Lance Corporal Z Tomlinson-Fox

 

Bassoons:

Lance Corporal A Hughes

Musn S Byron

 

Horns:

Lance Corporal J Kerby (Principal)

Musician T Pinell

Musician A Wilson

 

Cornets / Trumpets:

Musician R Hallstead (Principal)

Colour Sergeant J Marsh

Lance Sergeant S Gray

Lance Sergeant E Ward

Lance Sergeant J White

Lance Corporal A Collins

Musician D Gordon

Musician H Hall

  

Trombones:

Sergeant M Snell (Principal)

Sergeant M Hammond

Lance Corporal M Petrie

 

Bass Trombones:

Sergeant D Lockwood

Sergeant D Porter

 

Euphoniums:

Musician R Crewe (Principal)

 

Tubas:

Lance Corporal C Whittingham (Principal)

Musician G Osborn

 

Percussion:

Lance Sergeant S Pearce (Principal)

Colour Sergeant J Williams

Lance Corporal R Crummy

Musician E Smith