This week has been special for The Corps of Army Music which will be now known as The Royal Corps of Army Music, marking a new stage in its history.
On 10th December 2020, before lockdown, Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited the Corps of Army Music School at Kneller Hall to announce the great honour that the Corps would be given a new title and be known as The Royal Corps of Army Music from January 2021.
Despite the pandemic in 2020, The Corps has continued to raise morale by performing at the UK’s major events, from VE and VJ Day to the Queen’s Birthday, the National Acts of Remembrance, and New Year’s Eve TV celebrations. It continues to release free to download music for public enjoyment, online tutorials for aspiring musicians and virtual masterclass workshops for schoolchildren.
Captain Stead, Corps Adjutant, The Royal Corps of Army Music, said: “The new royal title represents the hard work and endeavour of all members of the Corps past and present in support of the Royal Household and the Nation. And this will hopefully inspire future Army musicians.”
Major Petritz-Watts, Director of Music for the British Army Band Colchester, described the name change as the big next step in the Corps' history. She added: “The Corps has undergone many changes over the years and receiving this ‘royal’ title consolidates all of those changes and allows us to ensure that we are fit for the future moving forwards.”
Even in lockdown, the Corps has maintained rigorous standards of training ensuring British Army musicians maintain their world class performance capabilities. At the heart of the Nation, the Royal Corps of Music remains ready to support the UK in its sovereign future.