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The Band of the Mercian Regiment
CSgt Jake Lees (PSI)
As 2021 progressed and the world began to return to new norms, The Band of the Mercian Regiment shifted its focus from individual rehearsals, back to face to face training as a full band, keen to get back to preparing for public performances as soon as possible.
During virtual training, musicians adapted well to working in the digital environment, taking advantage of online training opportunities and Continual Personal Development (CPD), including music specific training and Battalion PT. The specific training included aural perception training, music theory and active listening. All primarily designed to build on the knowledge requirement for employment qualifications, and to improve the general musicianship of the whole band. Technology also allowed the launching of the new band internal structure, designed to support
the band’s administration and to facilitate opportunities for leadership, development and progression for musicians of all ranks. This in turn has established new ways of working and initiated an internal training review.
Lockdown certainly did not stop the music, or the team spirit but there is no denying that they were very pleased to be back rehearsing in April. Intensive work
resumed to refresh marching skills, embed new drill manoeuvres and introduce new music repertoire, often taking full advantage of the good weather to rehearse outdoors. The return to training also allowed the contemporary band to reform and they have been working on improvisation skills to create a flexible, reactive and more informal ensemble, which for many of the Band’s musicians, is in complete contrast to the music they usually play. The saxophone group also hit the ground running, their unique sound and variety of style continuing to make them a popular choice for dinners and other events, as regimental life returns.
This year, the Band was one of the few Army Reserve Bands to undertake a socially distanced Annual Training Exercise. A
return to Holcombe Moor Training Camp
in Lancashire for this two-week training camp provided the ideal opportunity to focus on developing the ensemble sound, perfect marching skills and enabled the smaller ensembles to rehearse new music. This intensive continuous training laid
the foundations for the return to public performances later in the year, reinvigorating the skills needed for upcoming engagements.
The first performance saw the Band appearing at the National Memorial Arboretum as part of Armed Forces
Day celebrations. There was a buzz of excitement in the air as the scarlet jackets were put on again after such a long time and the public were present in huge numbers. The Band played at several locations across the site, with the main
performance in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal. This special performance included a meticulously timed flypast by the ever-impressive Red Arrows as the Band struck up with ‘Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines’, much to the delight of the crowd! There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the day and the Director of Music, Captain Ian Johnson, was once again able to interact with a live audience. It was great to be out in the public eye performing again.
In August, members of the Band grasped the opportunity to do something a little different and took a break from musical duties to participate in an Adventure Training Weekend with HQ Coy. They experienced a range of activities designed to push them out of their comfort zone, sliding down waterfalls, jumping into
pools, raft making competitions, raft racing and orienteering challenges. They were definitely pushed way beyond their musical comfort-zone, faced lots of challenges and were given opportunities to enhance their teamwork skills. A fantastic weekend was had by all!
In September, we were proud to provide musical support at the official unveiling of a spectacular new memorial to Sikh soldiers to mark the anniversary of The Battle of Saragarhi. The Band took part in the parade and provided reflective music during the ceremony which combined music, prayer and national anthems. Commissioned by the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, and created by local sculptor Luke Perry, the memorial commemorates the 21 Sikh soldiers from 36th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army who died defending an outpost which
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The Band of the Mercian Regiment, Holecombe Moor ATX