You can watch the live stream on this page by scrolling down to the video.
Top military musicians from the world-famous Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines will perform to members of The Royal Family and an audience of millions this week at the 45th Mountbatten Festival Music, live at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 25 March.
Exciting music, spectacular drum displays and beautiful solos will showcase the exceptional versatility, musicianship and pageantry of the Royal Marines Band Service.
This year, for the very first time in the history of the concert, this outstanding performance will be streamed live across the world in the presence of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday 25 March.
Attending in his role as Captain General Royal Marines, this will be the 12th time the Duke of Edinburgh has attended the Mountbatten Festival of Music (MFM).
In the year that marks 100 Years of Women in the Royal Navy, The Princess Royal, Patron of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) will be guest of honour on opening night (Thursday 23 March) to witness the premiere of a piece of music called Women of the Waves, commissioned to commemorate the WRNS centenary.
The 200 talented musicians and drummers that make up The Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines for this concert comprise of Portsmouth, Lympstone and Scotland band, along with trainees from The Royal Marines School of Music who form the choir.
As Principal Director of Music Royal Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Grace has overall responsibility for the show and this will be his 8th and final MFM at the helm as he retires later this year.
Nick said, “Part of me is a little sad that it’s coming to an end for me after 35 years of service but ultimately I feel a huge amount of pride in how these concerts have developed over the years demonstrating the quality of musicians we have in the band service.
“The quality and diversity of these concerts is phenomenal and it’s that home-grown talent that I’m so proud of. From the musicians that write and arrange the music to those who are performing, managing or working behind the scenes, it’s a huge team effort.”
Asked how it feels to be live streaming to an audience of millions on Saturday night, Nick says, “These musicians would give their all to an audience of 200 or 2 million but I think it’s fantastic we are able to live-stream the concert and give people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to see it the chance.”
The musically diverse show ranges from the traditional marches and overtures you would expect to the magic of the West End, rock and pop. This year sees the guest appearance of Switzerland’s Top Secret Drum Corps in what promises to be a jaw-dropping performance.
Trainee Musician George Gissing, 20, who specialises in cornet and vocals, will sing a solo at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time in his band service career. George is still under training at The Royal Marines School of Music in Portsmouth.
He said, “I’m really excited - nervous but excited. It’s my first gig with a trained band so for it to be the Mountbatten Festival of Music with the Massed Band, it’s an amazing opportunity. I’ll be singing in the musicals medley and then for the finale piece Pioneers of the Seas.”
It will celebrate and honour the past, present and future Royal Navy in a musical tribute named Pioneers of the Seas. This rousing feature marks 100 years of Women in the Royal Navy, 25 Years since Women were recruited into the Royal Marines Band Service and the centenary of the Submarine Commanders Perisher course. It also looks ahead to the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers and Type 26 Global Combat ships.
This year’s commemorative piece marks the Battle of Gavrelle which on 28 April 1917, saw the greatest ever loss of Royal Marines in a single engagement.
The whole show can be seen live via The Band of HM Royal Marines (Official) Facebook page, Royal Marines Facebook page, or via the Royal Marines YouTube channel.
Viewers can support The Royal Marines Charity throughout the performance by texting “BAND17 £5” to 70070 (UK only) or at theroyalmarinescharity.org.uk/donate
The Royal Marines Charity are the Royal Marines’ own charity and are uniquely placed to understand, respond and react to support Marines, veterans and their families. Funds raised from kind donations from this event will help the charity continue its vital support to the Royal Marines Family.
