Under the direction of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Bandmaster, Warrant Officer Class 1 Benjamin James, 15 members of the Band of the Irish Guards delivered an outreach event  to 56 music students (from year 9 to A Level) and staff from Bayside School.  

A statement from British Forces Gibraltar follows below:

The Bandmaster and musicians took the students on a historical journey through military  music, from the drum and bugle commands of the battlefield and the formation of the Royal  Military School of Music following an embarrassing rendition of the National Anthem at the  Grand Review in Scutari (1847), all the way to present day and the Coronation of His  Majesty King Charles III.  

The visiting Band, supporting the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Band and Corps of Drums for the  Ceremony of the Keys, was able to demonstrate the varied and rich repertoire of music  performed by military bands.  

The students were encouraged to think of possible examples where military music is utilised,  which were then demonstrated through a performance of musical extracts. These included a  fanfare to welcome dignitaries, a march to move troops across the parade square, popular  songs to entertain soldiers and the public, a reflective piece that might be used during a  Remembrance event and the National Anthem performed from state occasions to stadiums  around the World.  

RG Bandmaster, WO1 Benjamin James said: “The event demonstrated the effect and utility  of military music in sustaining the moral component of fighting power, achieving influence  through the convening capability of music, and maintaining the heritage and traditions of the  British Army.” 

The students from Bayside were put through their paces on the parade square, eagerly  taking part in a Marching Band workshop delivered by Sergeant (Drum Major) Pooley from  the Band of the Irish Guards. After a demonstration, the students enthusiastically marched  behind the Band across Devil’s Tower Camp parade square.  

The event was an addition to the diverse music curriculum offered at Bayside School and  provided an insight into the potential career Army Music offers for both Regular and Reserve  service.