Cadogan Hall was the setting for the ‘Scarlet and Gold’ concert presented by the Bands of the Household Division. 

An expanded wind ensemble was made up of members of all five Foot Guards Bands and the combined Band of the Household Cavalry, with additional instruments added where appropriate. The six Directors of Music shared conducting duties with Lt Col Stuart Watts as an informed and personable compere.

Celebration and commemoration

'Sound the Bells' by John Williams lived up to its name top open, before the mood changed with the 'March and Epilogue' from 'Things to Come', which served to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme alongside images of the fighting and aftermath accompanying the bleak sounds.

James Dutton showed his considerable skills as a flautist in 'Carmen Fantasy', featuring familiar melodies dressed up in a constant flurry of notes aided by a light, delicate accompaniment, whilst Mark Knopfler's 'Going Home' was billed as a bagpipe feature - although the first featured player was guitarist Gareth Craik. After the somewhat plaintive start, lively rhythmic drumming heralded the entry of the piper.

Michael Altree and Benjamin Beavis were the trumpet and euphonium soloists in Tom Davoren's 'Ascension'. Inspired by the well publicised world record free-fall by Felix Baumgartner, the music captured both the inner calm and exterior exhilaration of the amazing achievement.

Echoes from the past

'Monk's March' commemorates the journey south from Coldstream by Colonel Monk and his troops. The music opened with Darren Hardy on Northumbrian pipes and two field drummers attired in period uniforms. There were elements of turmoil and conflict as changing metres interrupted the flow, before a jaunty figure made for an upbeat ending.

The featured five-piece saxophone section were featured in the opening of 'Huntin' Wabbits' before the trombones took over and a great fun fix was enjoyed by one and all, before David Wong then produced a stunning rendition of the Artie Shaw ‘Clarinet Concerto' - an idiomatic reading full of bends and glissandi.

Sleight of hand

This was followed by an interlude featuring the remarkable Richard Jones of the Household Cavalry demonstrating the conjuring skills that made him the winner of the television talent show ‘Britain's Got Talent’. He certainly has. 

So too Ray Plant, Ralph Brill and Ben Godfrey as the three trumpeters in Peter Meechan's 'Song for Life', presented as a tribute to those battling cancer. Overlapping lines built in intensity leading to the final chords, topped by Ben's stunning piccolo trumpet.

River pageant

To close, Nigel Hess's 'Thames Journey' depicting Morris Dancers, rowers, Hampton Court and Westminster with the colourful scoring featuring various classy soloists, including cor anglais and bassoon, before a rousing 'Highland Cathedral' (complete with pipers) led the final run-through.

An enjoyable evening ended in traditional fashion with 'The Corps of Army Music March', 'When the Guards are on Parade' and the 'National Anthem'.

Peter Bale