The Royal Artillery Band is based in Woolwich, the former Regimental home and Headquarters of the Royal Artillery. The Band provides music to the British Army's formations both in peace and on operations. 

 

As one of eight London-based State Bands, the Royal Artillery Band supports all State ceremonial duties including the historic Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and all Royal and State Visit Gun Salutes with the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park and Green Park. 

 

When not employed on ceremonial duties, the Royal Artillery Band retains strong links with its parent regiment, performing for the Royal Artillery at its Headquarters in Larkhill, and for its many regiments around the world.

 

Formed in 1762, the 49-strong band is steeped in almost two hundred and fifty years of history.  It has long been a tradition for its musicians to be competent on both string and wind instruments, and the Royal Artillery Band is as such the only British Army band able to perform independently as a wind band or as a concert orchestra, making it the oldest established orchestra in Great Britain. 

 

The orchestra now performs a wide repertoire, with performances of Walton's Orb and Sceptre and Respighi's Pines of Rome in recent programmes.  In the last few years the Band has toured Eastern Europe, France, Germany, Algiers, China and Switzerland, and its rock group 'Voice of the Guns' has performed in Basra, bringing morale-boosting music to troops on operations. 

 

Other appearances include the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Plymouth's Music of the Night, Music on Fire, and the Corps of Army Music's showcase outdoor rock festival 'RHYTHM FORCE'. 

Telephone: 020 8781 3219

Email:  office.raband@armymail.mod.uk