The Band of the Grenadier Guards, one of Britain’s top military bands, will be conducting a tour of England between 16th — 30th August to raise funds for their fallen and injured comrades.
Raising funds
After its last tour of duty in Afghanistan, the Regiment suffered five mortalities and over thirty seriously wounded, casualty figures not seen since the Second World War.
As the musical arm of England’s oldest regiment, the Band of the Grenadier Guards is usually to be found on parade at state occasions like Trooping the Colour and state visits of overseas presidents as well as the daily Guard Mounting ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
After its last tour of duty in Afghanistan, the Regiment suffered five mortalities and over thirty seriously wounded, casualty figures not seen since the Second World War4BR
New work
The Band will be performing live in concert halls and Cathedrals across the country with a programme that will include a brand new work by the bands associate composer, Nigel Clarke, called ‘Fields of Remembrance’.
Completed in May 2008, ‘Fields of Remembrance’ is Nigel’s first composition for the band and was especially written for the forthcoming tour.
The work takes the form of a portrait overture and is based on one of the regimental slow marches of the Grenadier Guards, or ‘Grenadiers’ Return’, as it has come to be known. This piece is traditionally played whenever Grenadier soldiers return to barracks after duty.
Colonels Fund
The money raised will go to The Colonel’s Fund, which was set up under the auspices of HRH The Prince Philip, who is Colonel of the Regiment.
In his words, the fund is "...a practical regimental family response to the severe stresses and to the sad toll of lives and serious injuries experienced by the Regiment in recent operations."
Part and parcel
Director of Music, Major Barry Wassell, told 4BR: "This is a really important event for us. First, we are thrilled by the opportunity to perform throughout the nation. Second, as Grenadier musicians, we are part and parcel of the Grenadier military family. Money raised from the concert will go to our brothers in arms."
A complete list of dates and venues can be found at www.thecolonelsfund.com
