Had the greatest of pleasures standing next to Britannia at Kuwait harbour when the Queen and Prince Philip were leaving. B eating of the treat was some thing else. Never been so proud to be British and cried my eyes out with sheer delight. Well done chaps as always
This is truly amazing! The music is superb and just plain beautiful! The Royal Marines Band fascinates me and they always perform so perfectly! I'm not even British and they make me proud!! 🥰 Thanks from Tennessee, United States!! 🥰💗
This performance of Beating Retreat has several points of particular historical interest. As an example, the call sounded on Bb bugles from Time 23:32 can double as a field-drum exercise for re-enactors of pre-Victorian battles; drums were used as primary signaling for the advance, retreat, formation turn, prime and load, make ready and present fire, &c., before breechloading small arms became standard issue.
My Dad took me to see The Royal Marines Scool of Music - Beating Retreat at Horse Guard's Parade in the summer of 1964. I still have the programme. It was a brillant evening of music and I can remember so clearly when they played "Sunset" at the end. My Dad served with No 40 Royal Marine Commando during WW2.
As an ex Royal Marine Musician I loved watching this video. Thankyou...It brought back so many memories. Besides being a concert pianist, organist and choirmaster, in marching bands I was sometimes cymbals, sometimes piccolo, but mainly bass drum. I remember marching a lot of miles for the Lord Mayors Show in London wearing the old brown heavy overcoat, topped with a leopard skin, and a strap around my neck to supprt the bass drum. Unfortunately the rain descended during the whole march. I was soaked and the pretty stuff I was wearing became heavier and heavier. Fortunately I was ultra fit then, so survived!!! I didn't recognise any individuals, but that is understandable as I left the service in 1974, so most of them would not have joined by then. Thankyou Steve for this lovely film.
Yes my fellow military band member. It brings back great band memories. I was a member of Queens York Rangers military band Canada's Oldest Regiment. We were not the calibre of the Royal Marines but we did many parades and military tattoos. It was an honour to represent the country and the fine men who fought and died in wars to give us the country and freedoms we have today. Thank you for your service!
The quality of sound is so great it's as if you are listening to a orchestra at times then a very precision band at others. Love it ! By the way Steve Spurgin. I'm positively no expect on film quality but usually do have a good eye for detail. I positively see no lack of film quality with this video. Not any thing more you could do using a single camera. My compliments to your excellent quality !
It grieves me to see our mother country in such decline. Although I'm American and love my nation dearly and served in its navy for nine years, I have a deep admiration for Great Britain as it was the conduit for bringing Western Civilization (yeah, and that's a good thing) to the entire world. When I saw HMRM in concert with the Black Watch in Minneapolis, MN in celebration of our bicentennial back in 1976 I was totally blown away by the precision, sound, discipline and esprit de corps I saw. I have never seen a military ensemble like it since. It made such a strong impact on my life and I have always wished I could have joined their ranks and shared in their mission.
Still the best military band in the world! and yes Bloody good in battle too. Look at some of these guys medals. to the few who disliked this, you must be blind and deaf! or just plain ignorant!
Excellent music & video.Armed forces are an essential part of any nation & brass bands are part of the same.Doubt still lingers regarding the origin of these bands-some say. it all started from Nepolean's time.This band music, act as an elixir to the soldier's spirit during combat.But the stark reality at the battle front tells us a different story which is difficult to digest & comprehend!
I'm sure they started well before Napoleon's time. They also do more than just lift the troop's morale, drummers and buglers were used for signalling orders.
I think I counted about 42 musicians. I remember in the 1950s when the School of Music band conducted by Lt Col F Vivian Dunn was based in Deal in Kent and had 60 plus musicians. But at least the quality seems to be the same. Ah nostalgia.. Gerry Watts, Victoria Australia
Remember, most of these young musicians are still under training and not yet qualified. You will also see some of their adult NCO Instructors in this band. That's why it is known as the Royal Marines "School of Music" Band ..... SuperNutkin
Mind you those young musicians are already the cream of the crop when accepted in what is basically an academy of music. In Holland if one is accepted in one of the few professional military bands the MOD pays for there further education at a civilian academy of music.
It is unlikely that you will hear music performed so expertly, yet so stirringly, as when the Royal Marines Band begin to play at 18:09, highly unlikely. The number that the Royal Marines begin to play at that time was performed to perfection. Watch when the Snare Drums slow march to the front of the Royal Marines Band near the end of that number; the shuttle step is guaranteed to amaze you, as it did me (and I am not easily amazed.) To truly appreciate the expert drill of that number, you will have to watch the video at that time again and again.
The shuttle step as you call it , is a slow march .. I can recommend watching the Trooping the Colour and see it done on a massive scale … it will be one’s march past in slow time …
The correct title of this ceremony is Beating Retreat - not Beating THE Retreat. Sorry if this seems pedantic, but accuracy is essential in the military world :-)
It is very similar to the German Grosse Zapfenstreich, now only performed at special occasions. The Germans however throw in ta Guard Company and torch bearers as wel. The whole procedure is strictly defined, apart from some pieces of music chosen by who ever the Zapfenstreich is performed for. A part of the ceremony I most like is the evening prayer Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe. The word Zapfenstreich actually means close the bars etc.
Sarah Marais An Afrikaaner song Which is where the word Commando comes from , BTW none of the band are Commandos or even combatants in olden days they served as stretcher bearers .RM March at 120 paces per minute whereas Light Infantry Regiments March at 140
