Page 46 - AGC-Journal-2016

2016
A AGC JOURNAL 2016
GC JOURNAL

Band of

The Adjutant General’s Corps

By Lance Corporal Maria Lacey

This year has been an exciting crowd pleaser ‘Shake it off’ Taylor Swift. each day. One of the most memorable
year so far with various With the crowd in our hands, we finished performances was at a popular venue
the night performing a medley of hits by
promotions, engagements, legendary artists that have passed away. called the Umbrella Bar, an Après Ski bar,
located on the edge of the mountain. Here
adventurous training and The list included ‘Never too Much’ Luther we performed outside as a full rock band
Vandross, ‘I just can’t stop loving you’
recruiting events to challenge Michael Jackson, ‘Tears dry on their own/ as people skied right up to us and ordered
us all. Ain’t no mountain high’ Amy Winehouse/ their drinks. In September, I took part in
Exercise Samurai Sapper 2016 - the Royal
Marvin Gaye; and what better way to end Engineers and Small Corps Hockey Team
not only their set, but the night, than the
Engagements classic ‘Purple Rain’ by one of the greatest trip to Japan. The team had four matches
artists of all time, Prince. The night during the nine day visit, these included
Waseda University, The National Defence
concluded with a spectacular fireworks
As a Band we have entertained diners at display that lit up the entire field. Academy of Japan, Tokyo Metro Co. Ltd
St. James’ Palace in London, The Band and Meiji University.
of The Welsh Guards for their Centenary
Dinner at the highly prestigious Cavalry Other Activities To support recruiting, the Band took part
and Guards’ Club in Westminster, London, in the Army wide #11 days – ‘Be a Better
and the audience at the annual Beating This year has seen lots of adventurous You’ recruiting project. The event was
Retreat on Horseguards Parade. This training opportunities. In January, six to raise awareness and interest in the
year the theme was Soldiers from the members of the Band attended the annual roles and jobs available within the Army
Commonwealth. We performed the song Worthy Down ski exercise to Val Thorens, over a period of eleven days. Through a
‘Soldier Boy’ alongside the massed bands France. Roughly forty military personnel live Facebook broadcast held each day,
of The Household Division. It was written from the station attended, ranging in both many soldiers from different cap badges
by Major Simon Haw, Director of Music rank and ability. It was Musician Emily were interviewed about their personal
of The Band of The Coldstream Guards Gardner’s first time skiing and after her experiences and the many opportunities
and featured one of our vocalists, Lance initial reservations, she is now looking available to them in the Army. We
Corporal Willis Neat from The Bahamas. forward to next year. In March, seven performed both an acoustic and a rock
July saw another successful performance musicians headed off to Neustift in Austria set during the event representing both
from us at the Kneller Hall Rock and Pop to provide musical support for the AGC The Adjutant General’s Corps and Corps
Summer Concert. The Band delivered a Skiing Championships. During the week of Army Music. The videos were met with
stream of current chart toppers such as we played for eleven engagements and thousands of views and a multitude of
‘Chandelier’ Sia, ‘The Nights’ Avicii and the were lucky to get a few hours on the slopes positive and encouraging comments.

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