Coldstream Guards
Biography
The world-famous Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards is renowned around the world.
The nation's oldest-serving military band, with an impressive 112 year history, The Band of the Coldstream Guards can be seen regularly on Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace.
They are regularly invited to perform at state ceremonial events across London and further afield. In 2008 they completed a Columbia Artists tour of the USA, lasting 3 months.
Based in Wellington Barracks, the band has a wealth of talent and can be made available to support any event in a number of formats from small ensembles to a full marching band.
In June 2008 they signed a £1million recording contract with Universal Music, making them the world's oldest continual surviving recording artist.
In September 2009 they made their Classic FM Live debut, performing live at the Royal Albert Hall.
They released their album 'Heroes' with Decca records on the 30 November 2009, which went straight into the Official Classic FM Album Chart at No. 1.
The Music of the Coldstream Guards
"The job of the Band of the Coldstream Guards is, simply, to inspire and to encourage soldiers in battle," says it's director of music Graham Jones. "The band must be the oldest continuously recorded 'artist' in the world. Our earliest recording dates back to 1908. From cylinder recordings to MP3s - we've done them all. The point of 'Heroes' is to take our music to a wider audiences. The music we've chosen - reflective pieces such as Elgar's 'Nimrod', patriotic works such as Walton's Crown Imperial and rousing films scores - one each for the Army, Navy and Air Force - will enable people to experience the scope of the music we play."
Watch a video interview with Graham Jones talking about 'Heroes' and see The Coldstream Guards Band perform The Great Escape in the video footage below...
