Page 114 - Bugle Autumn 2014

The Salamanca Band &
The Salamanca Band and Bugles of the Rifles have performed at venues and countries across the world over the years and their globetrotting found them in yet another continent in April 2014, when they had a whistle-stop tour of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
For most people this was their first visit to the UAE and it was certainly a trip to remember. Priding ourselves on our versatility the Band gave performances as a Marching Band, Concert Band, Big Band, Jazz Band, Duos, Bugle Fanfare Team and a Soul Band in venues ranging from Primary Schools to Embassies.
The first day started gently with a bus and dhow trip around Dubai however things soon stepped up a gear as we entered the rehearsal phase culminating in a photo shoot by the tallest building in the world; The Burj Khalifa. The following day the Band really began to earn its money, with a Marching Display at Repton School in 43 degree heat followed by a concert for some of the younger students. The Band then moved on to Jumeirah where the Big Band and Soul Band got a chance to do a couple of numbers before heading to the British Embassy
in order to perform for the Queen’s Birthday Celebrations. As with most
The Band and Bugles by the tallest building in the world, The Burj Khalifa which stands at an amazing 828m.
The Band and Bugles performing a Marching Display for the Queen’s Birthday Celebrations at The British Embassy in Dubai
Bugles of The Rifles
events during the week this venue had serious wow factor, helped in no small part by the cars supplied by Aston Martin, the event’s sponsor. The Buglers (attached to the Band from
1 RIFLES) got their chance to shine in front of dignitaries, politicians and businessmen from both the UK and the UAE, including the Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois MP. The
week continued in much the same vein with the musical and cultural experiences proving second to none; here’s looking forward to hopefully being asked back next year to do it all
over again!
On arriving back in England we were very please to have
hosted the annual Youth Marching Band Championships which culminated in a Sounding Retreat by the combined
Reserve Bands of The Rifles, Salamanca and Waterloo. As always, the standard was extremely high with Bronze Medals being awarded to The Wiltshire Youth Marching
Band, Silver to The Barnstaple Youth Marching Band and Gold Medals and the prestigious Trophy to this year’s
champion Band, The Somerset and Devon Air Training Corps.
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THE RIFLES