The Band of the Welsh Guards was formed in the same year as the Regiment (1915), and consisted of forty-four musicians and a Warrant Officer - Andrew Harris, their Bandmaster. Their first instruments were presented by the City of Cardiff and this enabled the band to carry out the first King's Guard Mounting on St. David's Day 1916. That evening it gave its first concert on the stage of the London Opera House and the occasion was such a success that the band's reputation for its high musical standard was immediately established.

Since its formation, the band has toured extensively and brought the pomp and pageantry of the British way of life to many far-flung corners of the world. In recent years it has visited Spain, Australia, Belgium, Egypt, the USA and Canada, and also the Balkans.

The musicians are drawn from all over the UK and are permanently based in London, where they have the opportunity to enjoy a varied and challenging musical career. They can regularly be seen at the ceremony of Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace as well as many other State and Ceremonial occasions.
The band employs string players and the chamber orchestra regularly provides music at State Banquets and Investitures. Brass and Woodwind Quintets and a versatile Dance Band with an extensive repertoire gives the musicians plenty of diverse performance opportunities and the band performs regularly with the Royal Philharmonic and Hallé Orchestras in some of the most spectacular extravaganzas staged in the United Kingdom.
Appearances on BBC's Songs of Praise and at prestigious sporting events like the FA Cup Final, Royal Ascot and The Lawn Tennis Championships have helped bring the Band's music to a worldwide audience and has given them the opportunity to share the stage with well-known celebrities including Katherine Jenkins, Bryn Terfel and Shirley Bassey.

Links with the 1^st Battalion the Welsh Guards' traditional recruiting areas in Wales are maintained by regular public appearances, often with many of the fine male voice choirs for which Wales is renowned. Involvement with children and young people in instrumental clinics and music workshops is another of the band's activities, and close ties with various schools and colleges have successfully been forged. Charity concerts in aid of The Army Benevolent Fund, The Royal British Legion and The Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmens' Families' Association is another part of the work undertaken by the band.
Through its unique blend of stirring music and proud heritage, the band continues to appeal to audiences the world over.

To contact the band and enquire about booking for an event please contact us:

Telephone: 0207 414 3286