Plymouth Band recently held a charity concert in St Paul’s Church on HMS Raleigh, in aid of the #26ForSoph campaign, with the proceeds being split between the RMA-The Royal Marines Charity, Dorothy House Hospice Care and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. On an emotional night for the Band members, we broke from tradition and put on an evening of different musical combinations, breaking down into various small ensembles. This included a String Quartet playing the popular ‘Ashokan Farewell’, a Brass Group performing ‘Kalinka’, a piano and solo voice showcase featuring Musn Beth McGregor, a display from the Corps of Drums and a small orchestral recital. After the interval, the second half featured a Big Band set, including classics such as ‘Strike Up The Band’, ‘String Of Pearls’ and ‘Orange Coloured Sky’, before the evening finished with the rousing encore; Benny Goodman’s ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’. As well as raising money for worthy causes, the evening also served to highlight the extraordinary musical versatility of the Band. Thank you to everyone on HMS Raleigh and surrounding area who attended and supported this wonderful event.
Remembrance Service on Plymouth Hoe
The Band was heavily involved in Plymouth’s Remembrance Weekend commemorations, beginning with the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex-Services Association Festival of Remembrance, which was held at the Methodist Central Hall and was attended by Guests of Honour including the Deputy Lieutenant of Devon Brigadier Simon Young CBE DL, the High Sheriff of Devon Commodore Jake Moores OBE DL RN and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Plymouth Councillor Pauline Murphy, as well as representatives from military and veteran groups. After marching out the Standard Bearers, the Band performed a short concert section, including ‘Colonel Bogey’, music from ‘Band of Brothers’ and former Corps Bandmaster Michael McDermott’s medley arrangement of ‘Songs That Won The War’.