Page 52 - Bugle Spring 2024

BAND & BUGLES
BEYOND THE NOTES
In July, Musician (Musn) Ewan Atkinson represented the Royal Corps of Army Music in the Bastille Day celebrations in France. As the sole representative from The Rifles he performed in a massed-bands ensemble, which was comprised of groups of five musicians from 17 different countries. The celebrations marked the 80th anniversary of the Bastille Day parade and so the French President, Emmanuel Macron and the Indian Prime Minister, Narenda Modi were among those in attendance. The amazing performance featured a display at the end of the Champ-Elysees, with the Arc De Triumph in view in the background.
Musn Atkinson said it was extremely rewarding to work with military musicians from around the world and to experience their different cultures, finding it satisfying to see how he and his colleagues could
52 RIFLES The Bugle
work through the language barriers and communicate their ideas through music. He was also proud to represent The Rifles, finding himself easy to spot with his green tunic and bright red plume.
Following Summer leave, September saw The Band and Bugles take part in some annual adventurous training. They spent a week in Newquay, participating in hiking, mountain biking and an all-round favourite of Coasteering. Not only did this time serve as mandated annual training, it enabled everyone to develop their teamwork and communication skills away from a musical environment, making them ready to get back in the practice room and prepare for a busy Christmas period.
Over Remembrance, Cpl May and Musn Adcock flew out to Belize to be part of a short- term training team, tasked with supporting the Belizean Defence Force Band with two weeks
Musn Atkinson with the rest of the UK contingent on the Champs-Elysees in Paris