Lecture 10 September 2026 The Art of Ceremonial Music

The September lecture of the Arts Society Horsham is a salute to the pomp and circumstance of the state ceremonial events and the music provided by the military bands that mark such important, and sometimes solemn, occasions. Our lecturer Dr Graham Jones shared his experience previously held as senior Director of Music, Household Division and Music Director of the Coldstream Guards, and unveiled the meticulous planning and training in staging such major state events in Britain, reflecting our history, heritage and tradition at its best!

We learnt much about the ceremonial traditions, their historical significance and origin of the state events. For example, the use of kettle drums originate in the Islamic wars against the Crusaders; and the meaning of military Tattoo is derived from a 17th Dutch phrase “doe den tap toe” which simply means “turn off the tap” when drums and trumpets would be played to signal to the inn keepers to stop serving beer to the soldiers, as it was time for them to return to their barracks!

Dr Jones emphasised the power of military music in making a stand of unity at significant historical events. The presence and performance of a military band has been used poignantly to express friendship and solidarity. This was well illustrated when the Coldstream Guards were invited to perform in Times Square in the week following 9/11. The tradition of Changing of the Guards, so well loved by tourists in London, was maintained throughout the war years. There could be no more powerful expression of resilience and defiance through such a traditional enactment! The sense of solemn dignity never fails to touch the nation’s heart as the first note of “Nimrod” by Sir Edward Elgar strikes at a Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph, first performed in 1920 in front of the gun carriage containing the Unknown Soldier brought back from the battlefields of Northern France.

On a lighter note filled with good humour anecdotes, our lecturer also shared with the audience some of the behind the scenes preparation and training, with well drilled cues and tricks, in staging state visits, banquets and Trooping of the Colour, all to ensure that “it will be all alright on the night”!

Smoke and mirror and velcro aside, far from unmasking the illusion of such grand spectacles, our respect for the true professionalism and dedication of the military bands, on the contrary, has been immeasurably raised! At the closing of the lecture, we gave our heartfelt salute to Lt Col Graham Jones for his marvellously uplifting story and the part he had played in the majestic tradition of the military band of Great Britain!