Band of the Scots Guards

The Band of the Scots Guards is one of five bands in the Foot Guards Regiments in the Household Division which primarily guards the British monarch.

Scots Guards Band
The Band of the Scots Guards beating retreat at Horseguards in London in 2008
Background information
Also known asBand of the Scots Guards
OriginScotland, United Kingdom
WebsiteHome of the Scots Guards Band

The band is based at Wellington Barracks in St James's, London, which is the same place as for all the foot guards bands. The band should not be confused with the Pipes and Drums, which is a separate entity comprising fighting soldiers who are also pipers, rather than full-time professional musicians.

Regimental Marches

The Regimental Quick March is Hielan' Laddie. The Regimental Slow March is The Garb of Old Gaul.

History
Regimental badge of the Scots Guards
Drum major Sgt. Martin Godsman in 2009.

The Scots Guards is a regiment that was formed by King Charles I in 1642. It is known that in 1716 a small band of "hautbouys" existed; however, the precise origins of the Band of the Scots Guards are unknown.[1]

The band grew in strength during the early part of the 19th century and by 1838, it could boast some 32 performers. Throughout the 19th century the band expanded, until in 1888, there was an establishment of 44.[1]

During the First World War it entertained troops at Ypres and the Somme in 1916.[1] During the Second World War it was entertaining troops on the home front. This was sometimes through the medium of wireless, an example being 18 March 1942, when at 1 am, band members reported for a BBC Overseas Broadcast at the Paris Cinema. Musicians also found themselves on Fire Watch duties based at Egerton House, Buckingham Gate.[2]

The Scots Guards was the only Foot Guards Band to be deployed on active service during the Gulf War in 1990 (with three of their colleagues from the Irish Guards Band). Many different aspects of hospital duties attached to the various departments of 33 General Hospital based in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia were involved in their work there. In 1992, the Colonel of the Regiment, The Duke of Kent presented Gulf War Medals to Band members.[2]

Ensembles

There are several ensembles within the Band of the Scots Guards:

Events
The band outside Victoria Barracks, Windsor.

The Band of the Scots Guards plays for events of state. Some of the occasions that are most famous are listed below, although this is not a comprehensive list:

The band also performs at other non-military events.

Key personnel

Key personnel include:

  • Director of Music: Major Mark Aldridge[3]
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See also
  • Coldstream Guards Band
  • Grenadier Guards Band
  • Irish Guards Band
  • Welsh Guards Band
  • Household Division

References
  1. "Bands". Household Division. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. "London Remembrance Parade: Programme of Music – Its Meaning – Participating Military Bands Information". Military Times. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  3. "Scots Guards Association Newsletter" (PDF). 1 August 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
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