Duchess of Edinburgh's String Orchestra
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File:FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE MOD 45159097.jpg on Remembrance Day.]]
The Duchess of Edinburgh's String Orchestra (DESO),{{Cite Instagram |author=British Army Music |author-link=Royal Corps of Army Music |user=corps_army_music |postid=DFN9N3CuOzM |date=24 January 2025 |title=Renaming of The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra. |access-date=24 January 2025}} previously known as the Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra (CWSO),{{cite web |url=http://www.nigel-clarke.co.uk/2016/12/a-fantastic-day-of-discovering-sounds-with-the-countess-of-wessexs-string-orchestra-in-woolwich-barracks-london/ |title= A Fantastic Day of Discovering Sounds with the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra in Woolwich Barracks London |publisher=Nigel Clarke |date=2016-12-05 |accessdate=2020-04-28 |archive-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221031209/http://www.nigel-clarke.co.uk/2016/12/a-fantastic-day-of-discovering-sounds-with-the-countess-of-wessexs-string-orchestra-in-woolwich-barracks-london/ |url-status=dead }} is a 24-member string band from the British Army's Royal Corps of Army Music. It is the only independent full-time string band in the British Armed Forces.{{cite web|url=http://www.peter-sheppard-skaerved.com/2016/11/working-with-the-countess-of-wessex-string-orchestra-and-nigel-clarke/ |title=Working with the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra and Nigel Clarke | Peter Sheppard Skærved |publisher=Peter-sheppard-skaerved.com |date=2016-11-22 |accessdate=2020-04-28}} It is named after Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (formerly Countess of Wessex), the daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, sister-in-law of King Charles III and Colonel-in-Chief of RCAM. It is stationed from the former quarters of the Royal Artillery at Woolwich Barracks.{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/corps-of-army-music/ |title=Corps of Army Music | The British Army |publisher=Army.mod.uk |date= |accessdate=2020-04-28}}
History
There have been string bands in existence in the British Army since the mid-18th century, usually being sported by units of the Royal Artillery. In 1994, the Royal Artillery Band and Orchestra were absorbed in the newly formed Corps of Army Music. It was announced on 30 July 2013 that the Royal Artillery Orchestra would cease to exist in favour of a forthcoming "State String Orchestra", following cuts to Army Music.{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/music/23333.aspx|title=The British Army - The Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra|website=Army.mod.uk|accessdate=1 September 2017}} On 3 March 2014, Queen Elizabeth approved the title of the "Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra" for the new military band in honour of the CAMUS Colonel-in-Chief.{{cite web|url=http://www.classical-music.com/event/lunchtime-concert-countess-wessex-s-string-orchestra|title=Lunchtime Concert - The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra|publisher=classical-music.com|accessdate=27 May 2018|archive-date=28 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528135232/http://www.classical-music.com/event/lunchtime-concert-countess-wessex-s-string-orchestra|url-status=dead}} It was officially created on 1 April 2014. Earlier that February, the Royal Artillery Band, formed a special "Veterans of the Royal Artillery Band" that paraded on General Gordon's Square for the last time in Woolwich. The Countess of Wessex first visited the orchestra in early December.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/sophie-countess-of-wessex-arrives-to-visit-the-countess-of-news-photo/460159364|title=Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrives to visit The Countess of Wessex's...|website=Getty Images}} The visit saw the orchestra perform a piece composed by members of the orchestra in her honor.{{cite web|url=http://forces.tv/55204919|title=Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra|publisher=Forces.tv}}{{Dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Duties
It has been invited to perform at events such as investitures, ceremonies at Royal Households, state banquets and dinners. Its task is unique to the group as it is the first dedicated military ensemble designed for non-traditional instruments.{{cite web |author=United Kingdom |url=http://m.classical-music.com/event/lunchtime-concert-countess-wessex-s-string-orchestra |title=Lunchtime Concert - The Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra | Classical-Music.com |publisher=M.classical-music.com |date=2017-01-20 |accessdate=2020-04-28 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It has performed in a combined setting with its counterparts from the Royal Air Force and Royal Marines: the RAF Music Salon Orchestra and the String Orchestra from the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth.{{cite web|url=https://www.somme100film.com/performances/88-and-89-combined-armed-forces-orchestra-guards-chapel-london/ |title=88 and 89 - Combined Armed Forces Orchestra, Guards' Chapel, London 3pm & 7pm |publisher=Somme100 FILM |date= |accessdate=2020-04-28}}