Rhythm Force, Military Music with a difference

More the 7000 people had a real surprise when they turned up at the Army School of Music, Kneller Hall, recently for the ‘Rhythm Force’ concert where seven military bands showed they could play it all.

The outdoor music festival was the first of its kind. Modeled on the Live Aid, Glastonbury format of bands playing continuous music on different stages, one of which showed how to improvise with two army lorries back to back, all that is needed for concerts in the middle of nowhere.

Each of the two performances lasted three hours, featuring different kinds of music including Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Soul and more, totally different to the traditional marches the public are used too.

Young and old turned out for the shows, one morning and one evening to listen to students from the school and military bands together with guest artist Peter Grant who currently has an album in the charts and has recently appeared on TV and Radio.

Captain Darren Wolfendale one of the organisers, said: "The aspiration was to demonstrate to the army what a military band can offer, for free, when it is off the parade square. The musicians can play rock, pop, big band, jazz, blues, soul anything that the troops would like to hear.

"We are very keen to promote this side of our expertise to entertain soldiers wherever they are particularly on operational tours, where live music can boost morale and give the troops a well earned rest from duty.

"At present units can request a band through their divisional chain of command but we are hoping to streamline procedures and make it easier."

The message to units is, if you want to hear ‘Rock and Roll Music’ just ask for a military band.

The Corps of Army Music was formed in 1994 and is one of the largest single musical organisations in the world. More information www.army.mod.uk/music