The Amersham Band had the privilege of playing at Marlborough House on The Mall in London on November 11th at an inaugural event to launch the world-wide ‘Music of The Great War’ project.

The band performed a new arrangement of First World War songs composed by Rob Wiffin, Professor of Conducting at the Royal Military School of Music at an event which received a message of congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen.

Melodies

Following the performance the band received an inaugural certificate presented by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, with the performance to be featured on ‘Listen to the Band’ on Thursday 13th November.

Band Chairman, Fred Harrison told 4BR: “The music is a wonderful medley comprising eleven songs from the period, including favourites such as ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’, ‘Mademoiselle from Armentieres’ and ‘Pack Up Your Troubles (In Your Old Kit Bag)’.

We first performed the arrangement in Amersham Memorial Gardens in July during the World War One Commemoration and this eventually led to an invitation to play at Marlborough House.”

Five year project

‘Music of the Great War’ is a five year project using music of the period to educate and encourage schools, colleges, bands, and the wider public to learn in a positive way about the events and the experiences of the troops involved from all sides and how music played its part.

Each year a short medley of music and songs will be created and made available to learn and perform on Armistice Day (11th November) to commemorate the war.

Connection

Band Historian, Caroline Perkins added: “One hundred years ago Amersham Band marched through the town on several occasions as part of the recruiting of soldiers for World War One, and was involved again at the end of the War during the peace celebrations.

Working with the Amersham Museum we identified two soldiers who had played in the band at the time and went to war. Both were fortunate to have survived the conflict to return and live in the town."

It has been a huge honour for the band to be part of the project, as music was such an important part in keeping up morale, both for the troops and those at homeBand Historian, Caroline Perkins

Honour

She added: "It has been a huge honour for the band to be part of the project, as music was such an important part in keeping up morale, both for the troops and those at home.”