The Band and Drums
REGIMENTAL MUSIC
Music supports the ethos, tradition and identity of the Regiment and helps boost and maintain moral. Music is provided to the Regiment by its band and its Corps of Drums. Band capability is vested in the 4th Battalion and is formed from professional musicians. The Corps of Drums is integral to a battalion and are formed from volunteers in in a battalion who are infanteers first. The 1st Battalion has a Drums Platoon which provides the Regiment as a whole with Regular Drums Capability. Due to its role as a Specialised Infantry Battalion, 2 LANCS does not have a Drums Platoon. In the 4th Battalion, drummers are embedded within the band.
Full details of Regimental Marches and songs, along with more information on the Band and Corps of Drums can be found in the Regimental Handbook.
THE BAND
The band is an integral part of the 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, its new identity began in July 2006 when it was renamed from The North West Infantry Band to The Band of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. The band is held in high esteem and classed as one of the finest Army Reserve Bands in the United Kingdom.
The band is structured as a professional military wind band. The band comprises of music students, music teachers, professional free-lance musicians, and others civilian roles. It is based in Liverpool and provides musical support to Regiment and the Tri Services both at home and abroad. As one of only two Reserve Army Bands in the NW of England, it employs musicians from throughout NW England, with many of its musicians coming from Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington and Wales.
Versatility of music performance and the varied genres play a key part of our success and outstanding musical reputation, ranging from modern to classics, contemporary to traditional marches. It can also form several smaller ensembles apart from the wind band/marching band which include: a pop group, Dixie band, wind and brass groups, saxophone group and big band.
It rehearses weekly on a Sunday commencing at 9.00am.
If you want to join the 4th Battalion see below.
If you want to join The Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion you will need to join as a regular soldier.
WHAT THEY OFFER
Further Your Musicianship.
CV/Career Development.
Travel Opportunities.
Excellent Training
Extra Income.
Army Reserve musicians get paid to play music to a high standard, in their spare time, with like-minded people from all walks of life.
All rehearsals and band engagements are paid at daily rates of pay including travel expenses. In addition, you will earn holiday pay and qualify for an Army pension (pro rata).
Yearly Tax-Free Bounty (qualifying criteria applies).
The opportunity to travel and train both at home and to support other bands, regular and reserve.
In the last few years its musicians have played in a variety of locations including Gibraltar, Cyprus, France and Germany.
The band is also in high demand in and around the North West and beyond, supporting official engagements such as Remembrance Sunday in Liverpool, Pass Off Parades for new service personnel, Freedom Parades for Regiments, and Civic Ceremonies as well as performing on the pitch at Premier Leagues football matches.
WHAT IS EXPECTED
- Grade 6+ on your primary instrument with the potential to develop your instrumental capability.
- Aged 18-50.
- Have British Nationality and Citizenship or be a Commonwealth Citizen with indefinite leave to remain in the country.
- Pass a medical.
- Commitment.
- A drive and passion for musical excellence.
There is a minimum yearly commitment of 27 days, which includes a 16-day Annual Musical Training Event, weekend training, engagements and weekly rehearsals. The Army Reserve acknowledges the personal and professional obligations of civilian life, giving flexibility to individuals to enable you to commit according to your needs.
CONTACT
To enquire about current vacancies in the Band and The Corps of Drums in the 4th Battalion please contact our Band Recruiter Mon- Fri 08.30 am – 4.30pm.
Telephone - 0151 270 3137
Email: 4LANCS-BANDRMT@mod.gov.uk or 4LANCS-BAND-PSI@mod.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can send a message on Facebook or Instagram
Facebook - @TheBandOfTheDukeOfLancastersRegiment
Facebook - @TheCorpsofDrums4thBattalionTheDukeofLancastersRegiment
Instagram - @dukeoflancsband
Address
The Band of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Army Reserve Centre, Townsend Ave, Liverpool, L11 5AF.
THE CORPS OF DRUMS
The Regiment has had drummers since its formation in 1680. Their prime purposes were to transmit commands and beat a marching cadence on the battlefield and to regulate daily routine in camp, but their lively music put a spring into soldiers’ step and heightened their martial sprits long before the general introduction of regimental bands. The Corps of Drums is commanded by the Drum Major.
A Corps of Drums is established in the 1st and 4th Battalions. Unlike the Band the Corps of Drums are composed of Infantry soldiers who are volunteers.
The greater part of the uniforms and accoutrements for the Corps of Drums are provided from Regimental funds, and the Regimental Charity owns their silver drums and bugles.
DRESS
The Corps of Drums wear ceremonial uniform on parade, including:
Scarlet Drummer’s tunic with dark (Royal) blue Regimental facings, drummer’s wings, crown lace and Royals cords.
Home Service pattern blue spiked helmet with Regimental helmet plate, the curb-chain chin strap normally worn down by drummers and up by buglers. White Foreign Service helmets are worn in hot weather overseas stations as appropriate.
Blue tweed trousers with a narrow red stripe on the seams.
White belt and accoutrements with Regimental buckle.
Drummer’s swords.
The Drum Major additionally wears a sash embroidered with regimental devices and battle honours and a sword with metal scabbard. He also carries the Drum Major’s staff.
THE ARROYO DRUMMERS
On 28 October each year the Regiment celebrates the capture at Arroyo dos Molinos of the Drums and Drum Major’s Staff of the French 34th by trooping them. Replicas of the French Drums are carried on this occasion by six Kingsmen, selected from among the smallest men in the battalion to wear replica 1811 drummers’ uniforms of their 34th Foot forebears. They are led by a Senior NCO selected for the role of Drum Major.
SILVER DRUMS
The Regiment is fortunate in having inherited nine sets of silver drums.