Band of the Grenadier Guards

Band of the Grenadier Guards
The band on Horseguards parade in London in 2008
Background information
Also known as	Band of the Grenadier Guards
Origin	London, England, United Kingdom
Website	Home of the Grenadier Guards Band

The Band of the Grenadier Guards is the oldest of all of the bands in the British Army, with a history dating back over 331 years.

In 1685 Charles II allowed the band to maintain 12 "hautbois" (oboe) players. His death in 1685 was so significant for the band that until the Second World War, the Bass Drummer (known officially as The Regimental Timebeater), wore a black armband in mourning of the king's death.

The size of the ensemble has changed over time, starting off with between twelve and nineteen players, in the 18th century to a peak in numbers by the end of the 1970s of seventy musicians. Today there are 42 band members.

In 1872, the Band of the Grenadier Guards were the first British uniformed soldiers to enter the United States of America since the War of 1812. In the modern era, it last toured the US in 2003, when it gave performances over a period of three months, at over sixty venues, visiting forty states. The Band often tours overseas and has visited Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia, and Australia.

The Band was given the freedom of the City of Lincoln on 8 May 2008.

King Charles II restored not only the Monarchy to England but patronage of the arts, not least by laying the foundations of the Band of the Grenadier Guards when he commissioned players to the First Regiment of Foot Guards in 1685. The Regiment was to become known as the Grenadier Guards after their victory on the battlefield at Waterloo.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards has been filling the streets of London with music and colour for over three centuries, a truly historic sound and sight. It is symbolic and emblematic of London and the UK's history. The Band has served 15 monarchs over 325 years with dedication and pride. It has been present at all the major royal occasions: births, coronations, weddings and funerals.