A new Band facility on the Sandhurst Estate, Surrey has been formally opened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh, as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM).
The new purpose-built Band facility – named The Duchess of Edinburgh Hall – houses two distinguished bands from RCAM – the Band of the Coldstream Guards and, as a separate unit, the Army Engagement Ensemble – and provides a modern, sustainable, high-performance acoustic facility for rehearsals, performance, and collaboration.
"The new band facility at Sandhurst will enable Army musicians to carry out their supporting state and ceremonial duties and national and international engagement for Defence, both today and into the future."
The facility was delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) contracting to Willmott Dixon, Pick Everard and HLM Architects and was funded under the DEO Army Programme, which makes up the largest share of the DEO Portfolio and is delivering a better structured and more sustainable Defence estate to support military capability and enhance the lived experience of Service personnel.
The Royal Corps of Army Music, who played for the world as part of the Coronation procession for their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, has received significant MOD investment under the £5.1 Billion Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio.
Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Basing and Infrastructure said:
“The new band facility at Sandhurst will enable Army musicians to carry out their supporting state and ceremonial duties and national and international engagement for Defence, both today and into the future.”
Combining modern buildings with refurbishment of existing infrastructure, The Duchess of Edinburgh Hall comprises a glass-roofed atrium for ensemble performance practice, rehearsal rooms, an instrument store, music library, offices, storage space and a crew room. The sustainable design includes solar panels and air source heat pumps.
Major General Clements adds:
"It is a fantastic example of the significant investment we are making to deliver benefits for our people, support military training and capability, and build a more sustainable estate.”
"This new facility is perfect for the Band’s needs. The quality of the design and finish is highly impressive, and we now have a comfortable, purpose-built, modern building in which to rehearse, collaborate and function to the highest standard."
Historic stables dating from the 1800s have been transformed into modern changing facilities including the refurbished ‘Sullivan Block’, which is named after Thomas Sullivan who served as The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Bandmaster from 1845 to 1857 and was the father of Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan of ‘Gilbert and Sullivan’ fame.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards is a 54-piece symphonic wind band that supports a variety of high-profile events, including state ceremonies, public duties, commemorative and celebratory events, and repatriations. Additionally, it contributes to the UK's Defence efforts both domestically and internationally through community engagement and events. The Army Engagement Ensemble focuses on recruitment, supporting Recruiting Group and the Army's main effort to attract future soldiers.
Major Justin Teggarty, Director of Music and Officer Commanding, Band of the Coldstream Guards said:
“This new facility is perfect for the Band’s needs. The quality of the design and finish is highly impressive, and we now have a comfortable, purpose-built, modern building in which to rehearse, collaborate and function to the highest standard. I am particularly impressed with the acoustics in the atrium: it is fantastic to be able to play together in a space that does justice to the talent and professionalism of Army musicians.”