London for Ceremonial 
'Sound the Trumpet’
By Trumpet Major Julian Sandford
After fifteen years working in the band and on the trumpet team, I was selected to take over the prestigious appointment of Trumpet Major. This role involves planning, co-ordinating and leading the State Trumpeters at over fifty State Ceremonial events each year including Diplomatic Receptions, State Visits, Royal Banquets, the State Opening of Parliament and the Commonwealth Service of Thanksgiving. These events take place at various historic venues such as the Guildhall, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. The trumpet team is also called upon to perform for the celebrity world at events such as film premieres, award ceremonies and other TV and film performances.
Trumpet Major Sandford took over the appointment in April 2020.
The Trumpet Major is a unique appointment that has to be approved outside the Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM) by the Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry. The Trumpet Major has the added responsibility of training selected troopers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment – some of whom have no musical experience - to become mounted Trumpeters. After successfully completing the training a mounted Trumpeter will be expected to provide all the various trumpet calls on the Queen’s Life Guard and the Sovereign’s Escort.
Every year the state trumpeters feature prominently in the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, and 2020 brought a new challenge for me as, in my role as Trumpet Major, I have to conduct the team as they sound the Royal Salute to mark the arrival of Her Majesty The Queen. I felt much more comfortable when I re-joined the trumpeters to sound the Reveille for the Act of Remembrance at the end of the service. This event alone highlights the pressure of performing to millions of viewers around the world, thousands in the auditorium and a huge cast of extremely talented musicians.
The State Trumpeters at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2020.
It is by developing, preparing and rehearsing a team thoroughly that results in a successful performance each time. It is an honour to lead such a talented team of trumpeters, and a privilege to play at these historic events. I am looking forward to the upcoming State Ceremonial season and all the challenges and highlights it will bring.
Trumpet Major Julian Sandford is in the Band of the Household Cavalry. He has been in this role since April 2020 after being assistant Trumpet Major for 10 Years. The role is one of the most high-profile positions for a trumpet player to hold within the Household Division.