band of the Coldstream Guards

The band of the Coldstream Guards was officially formed under the direction of Music Major C.F. Eley on 16 May 1785.{{cite web|url=https://coldstreamguards.org.uk/pages/coldstream-guards-band|title=Band of the Coldstream Guards|publisher=Coldstream Guards|accessdate=29 March 2020}}

The band received its first British bandmaster in 1835, Charles Godfrey.Pomp and Circumstance - The Band of the Coldstream Guards, A History 1685 - 2017

On 18 June 1944 over one hundred twenty people were killed at Wellington Barracks when a German flying bomb hit the chapel. The director of the band was amongst the dead, prompting the appointment of Captain Douglas Alexander Pope.

In 1985, during the band's two hundredth anniversary year, the Coldstream Guards kicked off the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium, performing "a fanfare composed by the Director of Music Lt Col Richard Ridings".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP120YaAL8w|title=Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards - Royal Salute (Live Aid 1985)|website=YouTube |accessdate=29 March 2020}}

Two especially unusual performances took place in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the United States. On September 12, 2001, Queen Elizabeth II broke with tradition and allowed the Coldstream Guards Band to perform The Star-Spangled Banner at Buckingham Palace, London, during the daily ceremonial Changing of the Guard.{{cite web|last=Graves |first=David |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1340465/Palace-breaks-with-tradition-in-musical-tribute.html |title=Palace breaks with tradition in musical tribute |publisher=Telegraph |date=2001-09-14 |accessdate=2020-03-29}} The following day at a St. Paul's Cathedral memorial service, the Queen herself joined in the singing of the American national anthem, an unprecedented occurrence.Steyn, Mark (17 September 2001) The Queen’s Tears/And global resolve against terrorism. National Review Online. The Coldstream Guards played The Star-Spangled Banner again at Windsor Castle on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.{{Citation |title=9/11 anniversary: U.S. anthem at UK's royal castle |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRhg91ak_7E |access-date=2024-03-10 |language=en}}

There are several ensembles within the Band of the Coldstream Guards:

• Concert Band

File:Coldstream Guards band Warrant Officer.jpg

• Marching Band

• Brass Quintet
• Jazz Trio

• Fanfares

File:Coldstream Guards fanfare team2018.jpg

• Woodwind Quintet
• 18th Century Band

File:Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting MOD 45164084.jpg.]]

The Coldstream Guards Band plays regularly for many events as part of the Massed Bands of the Household Division. Selected occasions that are most famous include:

• Beating Retreat
• Changing of the Guard
• The Festival of Remembrance
• Trooping the Colour
• Investitures
• State visits

File:Bild BeT 5.jpg.]]

In June 2009 the band signed a record deal with Universal Music imprint Decca, reportedly worth £1 million.{{cite web|url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/queens-guards-sign-to-decca/|title=Queen's guards sign to Decca|publisher=Complete Music Update|accessdate=29 March 2020}} Their debut album 'Heroes' was released on 30 November 2009 and was nominated for Best Album of the Year for Classical Brits. The Band of the Coldstream Guards performed at the Classical Brits Awards gala at the Royal Albert Hall.

In the closing credits of Dad's Army, the band played a instrumental march version of the theme tune, Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr Hitler?, conducted by Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel) Trevor L. Sharpe.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SUhWx9Jnh_UC&dq=%3F&pg=PA135|title=Popular Music and Television in Britain|year=2010|publisher=Ashgate|isbn=978-0754668640|page=135}}

• Grenadier Guards Band
• Irish Guards Band
• Scots Guards Band
• Welsh Guards Band
• Household Division

• [https://www.army.mod.uk/music/23949.aspx Home of Coldstream Guards Band]
• [http://military-bands.co.uk/coldstream_guards.html Band History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607070205/http://military-bands.co.uk/coldstream_guards.html |date=2008-06-07 }}
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060512192614/http://www.coldstreamguardsband.com/ Former personnel website]}}
• {{YouTube|F1zAXjyOHGs|The Band of the Coldstream Guards, Sarah's Music}}

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Category:British military bands

Category:Royal Corps of Army Music

Category:1785 establishments in Great Britain

Category:Coldstream Guards