Band of the Irish Guards

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Band of the Irish Guards

The official page for Band of the Irish Guards, part of the Royal Corps of Army Music, British Army.

06/01/2025

Happy New Year from the Band of the Irish Guards. The band have now returned to work ready to go for engagements this year. Take a look at the following dates to find out where you can see us this month.

Irish Guards
The Irish Guards Charity
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
The Army in London - HQ London District
The Household Division
Changing-Guard

31/12/2024

IRISH GUARDS BAND WRAPPED 2024
Have you ever wondered what a year in a British military band looks like in numbers? Here is your opportunity! This year we kept note of how many quick marches were played outside of the practice room and here are the findings.

Happy New Year to all of our followers and we will see you on parade in 2025!

The Army in London - HQ London District
The Royal Corps of Army Music
Irish Guards
The Irish Guards Charity
The Household Division
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
IMMS - UK
Military Music Appreciation Society

20/12/2024

Whilst at the The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst last week, the band had the privilege of supporting the Academy’s Carol service in the Royal Memorial Chapel.
Alongside the usual carols which featured vocal competition between the Officer Cadet Divisions, the band also played a lively selection of ingoings and outgoings that included ‘Sleigh Ride’, ‘Santa’s Journey’ and ‘Christmas in the Nursery’ under the direction of Bandmaster CSgt Brown. To add to the festive spirit in line with the officer cadets, the band added Christmas jumpers to their uniform for the evening!

The Army in London - HQ London District
Irish Guards
The Royal Corps of Army Music
The Irish Guards Charity
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade

17/12/2024

Join many of our musicians this Thursday night who are part of the Massed Bands of the Household Divison performing ‘Scarlet & Gold at Christmas’ at Fairfield Halls, Croydon. Enjoy this behind the scenes look at rehearsals so far. Tickets are still available on the Fairfield Halls website.

16/12/2024

On Friday 13th December, The Band of the Irish Guards supported the Sovereign’s Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the passing out parade of Commissioning Course 241. The band were also grateful to receive and present a gift to the RMAS Commandant to mark our time at the Acadmey.
Photos: Mick Latter RMAS

The Army in London - HQ London District
Irish Guards
The Irish Guards Charity
The Royal Corps of Army Music
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
Sandhurst Trust

09/12/2024

The Band of the Irish Guards would like to congratulate CSgt Histon and Sgt Lockwood on being presented with their clasps for Long Service and Good Conduct medals from the Commanding Officer The Household Division LtCol Halliday during his visit to the band last week. These clasps signify 25 years of service to the British Army.
We would also like to congratulate Sgt Beavis who was presented with his The Royal Corps of Army Music commendation for exceptional leadership.

Irish Guards
The Irish Guards Charity
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
The Army in London - HQ London District

04/12/2024

Yesterday (Tuesday 3rd December) the band were privileged to provide the musical support to a Guard of Honour inside Buckingham Palace for the arrival of His Majesty the King and His Highness the Emir of Qatar during the Qatar State Visit to the United Kingdom.

Photos: LCpl Chau - The Royal Corps of Army Music

The Army in London - HQ London District
The Irish Guards Charity
The Household Division
Irish Guards
Embassy of the State of Qatar - UK

28/11/2024

Congratulations to four members of our band who took part in the indoor rowing competition which is part of the wider General Officer Commanding’s Cup held in Wellington Barracks Gym. Both men and women’s teams both took home first place!
The musicians were representing The Household Division Bands Team who are competing against teams from all other units within London Central Garrison in various sports.

The Army in London - HQ London District
Army Sport
Irish Guards
The Irish Guards Charity

19/11/2024

Meet the musician

The Band would like to introduce you to our euphonium player, LCpl Ian Walshaw. LCpl Walshaw comes from Gloucestershire and has been a brass player for 23 years.

LCpl Walshaw joined the Army Reserves with The Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment whilst studying at The University of Huddersfield. He has also served with The Waterloo Band & Bugles of The Rifles.

LCpl Walshaw transferred full-time to the The Royal Corps of Army Music, where he was posted to British Army Band Sandhurst. LCpl Walshaw has been in The Band of The Irish Guards since March 2024.

His Army career has seen him travel to The Falkland Islands, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Cyprus, Lithuania, Finland, Estonia and Gibraltar to perform.

LCpl Walshaw enjoys brass banding in his spare time. He has been fortunate enough to play in the Championship Section with Yorkshire Imperial Band, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band and Lydbrook Band.

He currently conducts both Richmond Brass Band and British Airways Band, and currently plays in Staines Brass.

The Army in London - HQ London District
The Household Division

11/11/2024

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”

Remembering all those who have served today.

Quis Separabit

Photo - Crown Copyright

01/11/2024

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Take a look at the band’s diary for November and see where you can watch us performing this month!

The Army in London - HQ London District
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
Irish Guards
The Irish Guards Charity
The Royal Corps of Army Music
Changing-Guard

30/10/2024

This week we hosted young musicians from Brentwood Imperial Youth Band in Wellington Barracks. The day included performing a marching display for them, followed by a rehearsal in the practice room under the direction of our Bandmaster and a presentation on British Army Music. After lunch, the band had the opportunity to receive constructive training on the parade square under the watchful eyes of our instructors which also included Drum Major tuition from the Senior Drum Major, The Household Division.

Photos: Musn Elliott (IG Band) and Brian Whiting (BIYB)

The Army in London - HQ London District
Irish Guards
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
The Royal Corps of Army Music

28/10/2024

Today the band returned from a week of leave and went straight into the practice room rehearsing for upcoming engagements. In the afternoon the band rehearsed a marching display on the square, stay tuned to see what the display is for!

The Army in London - HQ London District
The Irish Guards Charity
Brentwood Imperial Youth Band
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade

14/10/2024

Earlier this month, The Band of the Irish Guards sent a contingent of 15 musicians to Gibraltar to assist in providing musical support to The Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment for the annual Ceremony of the Keys. This event, which dates back to the Siege of Gibraltar from 1779 to 1783 is steeped in history and tradition and the members of the band were privileged and honoured to have taken part in the parade.

While out in Gibraltar, our musicians were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take to the water for some paddle boarding and for a trip on a powerboat. We were also privileged to have the opportunity to engage with students from Bayside Comprehensive School, showcasing the musical capabilities of The Royal Corps of Army Music and demonstrating an introduction to foot drill.

The Army in London - HQ London District
Irish Guards
The Household Division

01/10/2024

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Take a look at where you can see the musicians of The Band of the Irish Guards performing during the month of October. We look forward to welcoming you to one of our concerts or seeing you out on parade very soon!

The Army in London - HQ London District
Irish Guards
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
The Royal Corps of Army Music
Changing-Guard
The Irish Guards Charity
Regent Hall Salvation Army
IMMS - UK

24/09/2024

Thank you to all those that attended the inaugural performance of the Band of the Irish Guards’ Céilí Band - ‘Shillelagh Céilí’ in Charlton House.
If you missed this performance, you can watch the ensemble again performing in the Guards Chapel on Tuesday 26th November 2024.

Irish Guards
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
The Army in London - HQ London District
The Royal Corps of Army Music
Changing-Guard
The Irish Guards Charity
IMMS - UK

11/09/2024

REGENT HALL CONCERT
Enjoy an evening of music with The Band of the Irish Guards in central London on Thursday 10th October. The band will be performing as part of Regent Hall’s ‘Festival of Brass’. Free entry and no ticket or reservation required.

The Army in London - HQ London District
Irish Guards
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
Changing-Guard
IMMS - UK
Regent Hall Salvation Army
London Evening Standard

09/09/2024

NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Captain Claire Lawrence was born and educated in Northampton and learned violin and flute within the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust - NMPAT. She completed undergraduate studies at Trinity College London, and post-graduate studies at the Royal College of Music, graduating in 1995.
She spent the next 9 years as a freelance professional violinist, performing with orchestras, opera companies and touring shows, including Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and the UK tours of “Les Miserables - Musical” and “Beauty and the Beast”.

In 2004, Capt Lawrence joined the Central Band of the RAF Music as a flautist and piccolo player primarily; she also featured extensively as a violin soloist with the band in all the major concert halls of the UK, on recordings, and on concerts abroad. During her time in the RAF she commenced conducting studies gaining an LRSM diploma.
Captain Lawrence transferred to the The Royal Corps of Army Music in 2014, having been selected to attend the Musical Direction course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. On completion of the course, she was awarded the Band Direction Prize and the Academic Prize. Capt Lawrence served as Bandmaster at the The Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra from 2015 - 2018, during this time she spent 6 weeks in Jordan training the female platoons of the Jordanian Armed Forces Band and also completed a master’s degree. She assigned as Bandmaster to the Band of the Coldstream Guards 2018 - 2020 and the Band of the Welsh Guards 2020 - 2021.

Capt Lawrence commissioned in 2021 and spent a year as a staff officer at the Land Warfare Centre. She was Senior Instructor of Initial Trade Training at the Royal Military School of Music from 2022 - 2024 and was appointed Director of Music of the Band of the Irish Guards in July 2024.

The Army in London - HQ London District
Irish Guards
British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
The Irish Guards Charity
The Household Division
Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust Alumni

Photo: Musn Elliott

Address

Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk
London
SW1E6HQ

Website

https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-corps-of-army-music/band-of-the-irish-guards/

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Videos

The Band of the Irish Guards are continuing their residency at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Join the musicians in this video to learn more about what events we are supporting here at Sandhurst. #sandhurst #armymusic #militaryband #irishguards Video: Musn Elliott

Today The Band of the Irish Guards travelled to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and began their week long residency ahead of The Sovereign’s Parade next Friday. #Sandhurst #militarymusic #britisharmymusic #irishguards #parade

Themes from the Wizard of Oz - Irish Guards Band Changing the Guard May 2024

This morning the band provided musical support to The Changing of the Guard alongside our colleagues from The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. We performed the late Major Burton’s arrangement of Meco’s ‘Themes from the Wizard of Oz’ to the delight of the large bank holiday crowds that had gathered for the ceremony. If you missed us today please join us this Friday (31st May) when we will be back on the Buckingham Palace forecourt! The Royal Corps of Army Music The Army in London - HQ London District Irish Guards British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade The Irish Guards Charity IMMS - UK Changing-Guard The Wizard of Oz Wizard of Oz - The Musical

Shamrocks and Dragons Marching Display 2024

Last week The Band of the Irish Guards supported the The Irish Guards Charity event 'Shamrocks and Dragons' held at Middle Temple, London. During the dinner the band's newly formed Ceilidh Band provided entertainment for the guests. Enjoy this video of our marching display that started the evening's events, led by Senior Drum Major The Household Division WO2 G.W Chambers MVO. Blue Plume - Jaeger Songs of the Emerald Isle - Lane Star of Erin - Horabin Singalongamix - Lane The Army in London - HQ London District The Royal Corps of Army Music British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade

Irish Guards Band Open Day - April 2024

Last week we welcomed young musicians from Shepway Brass Academy and 1st Whitstable Scout Group Band to Wellington Barracks for an open day where they got to experience playing with the band in both the practice room and on the square as a marching band! If this is something you would like to do or know someone who would like to visit, please get in contact with us and we can arrange a look at life as an army musician. The Royal Corps of Army Music The Fluffy Hat Music Co. The Army in London - HQ London District

"Mickery For Paddy" - St Patrick's Day 2024

Happy St Patrick's Day! ☘️ This morning the band will be on parade at Mons Barracks, Aldershot for the Irish Guards' annual St Patrick's Day Shamrock Parade. Enjoy our Sax Quartet's performance of "Mickery For Paddy" that has been specially arranged for this performance on board The Imperial War Museum London’s HMS Belfast. The 17th of march is also a special day for the ship as it was first launched on St Patricks' Day 1936 and has since had a decorated career in the Royal Navy and now serves as a historical museum on the River Thames in London. Video: Musn Elliott Music used: "St Patrick's Day", "It's Yerr Day" and "Sailors Hornpipe" Musical Arrangement: Amy Kent, The Fluffy Hat Music Co. Thank you to the team at The Imperial War Museum and HMS Belfast for collaborating and allowing this recording to take place. The Royal Corps of Army Music The Army in London - HQ London District British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade The Irish Guards Charity

March Forth on March Fourth! For this ‘March Monday’ we are celebrating National Marching Music Day, held on the 4th of March each year. Let us know in the comments what your favourite march is and what you would like to see us playing on parade! Here is the band playing ex Director of Music George Willcocks’ ‘Sarafand’ at The Lord Mayor's Show last November. The Army in London - HQ London District The Royal Corps of Army Music Irish Guards British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade

Irish Guards Band Spring Drills 2024 - 'Let Erin Remember'

SPRING DRILLS This week The Band of the Irish Guards have completed their 2024 Spring Drills training on the parade square at Wellington Barracks. The week’s training included refreshing basic foot drill, the carriage of instruments and deportment when on parade, with support given from Senior Drum Major The Household Division, WO2 Gareth Chambers MVO. Spring Drills date back to the reign of Queen Victoria as a way of maintaining the professional standards of British troops on parade and is now a tradition still observed annually by the musicians of the Household Division. Music - ‘Let Erin Remember’, regimental slow march of the Irish Guards. Video: Musn Nicholl The Irish Guards Charity The Army in London - HQ London District The Royal Corps of Army Music

Merry Christmas from The Band of the Irish Guards - Tower of London 2023

The Band of the Irish Guards have embarked on their Christmas leave and would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please enjoy this festive treat from our brass quintet performing a selection of carols inside The Tower of London! We would like to warmly thank Historic Royal Palaces for allowing us to film inside the iconic walls of the Tower. The Household Division Irish Guards The Royal Corps of Army Music The Army in London - HQ London District IMMS - UK

Lord Mayor’s Show Step Off 2023

Marching into the new week! This week you can see us supporting the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday! Can you work out which march we are playing in this video taken at the step off at The Lord Mayor's Show earlier this month? The Army in London - HQ London District The Royal Corps of Army Music IMMS - UK

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Sydney 2019

Four years ago The Band of the Irish Guards were in Australia performing as part of the The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Sydney in 2019. The band performed a special display where the Tri-Service bands formed the shape of a compass playing The Army, The Navy and The Air Force, The World in Union and Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance marches No4 and No1. Would you be interested in having opportunities and performing at unique events like this? Is being an Army Musician something you would like to do? Register your interest and find out more below. https://forms.office.com/e/dpBVsBJA0v The Bands of HM Royal Marines RAF Music The Royal Corps of Army Music UK in Australia - British High Commission, Canberra

September - Earth Wind and Fire Band of the Irish Guards

Do you remember the 21st night of September? The month is currently September and The Band of the Irish Guards having been performing the hit song by Earth, Wind & Fire on the Buckingham Palace forecourt during the ceremony of Changing the Guard! Would you be interested in performing at unique opportunities like this? Is being an Army Musician something you would like to do? Register your interest and find out more below. https://forms.office.com/e/dpBVsBJA0v #BritishArmyMusic #irishguardsband #britisharmyband #september #irishguards