The Band of the Mercian Regiment

This week, the Band of the Mercian Regiment said goodbye and good luck to our Director of Music, Captain Ian Johnson, as he leaves Wolverhampton to move north and take up the post of Director of Music for The Royal Signals (Northern) Band in Darlington. Captain Johnson joined the Regiment seven years ago when he transferred from Regular to Reserve and settled in his home town.

During his tenure as DOM, the Band of the Mercian Regiment have performed at many prestigious events around the UK and further afield, and its various ensembles have featured in events around the world. As part of his send off, Captain Johnson received a regimental presentation as a memento of his time with the Mercians, bearing the Regimental motto ‘Stand Firm, Strike Hard’. He is moving areas to be closer to his family and everyone wishes him good luck with his new post, house move and future musical endeavours. No doubt the two bands will work together in the future and we will see him on the counter march.

Good luck Sir and thanks for all the music.

Last weekend, the Band of the Merian Regiment's Saxophone quartet performed at the Joint Officers’, Warrant Officers’ and
Sergeants’ Mess dinner night at Wolseley House. They performed a selection of music including Band of Brothers, Bohemian Rhapsody and Friend Like Me to entertain during the dinner, to an audience that included some of the Band's senior ranks. There was a lot of praise for their performance, both from their fellow musicians and from the wider regimental attendees.
Congratulations!

If you like what you read, why not get in touch to find out about joining!
Being a Reserve Musician is flexible around your family and work commitments, with opportunities to train and perform with other bands and reserve musicians around the country and beyond! If you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more.

Beat of the Nation

Last night, Musician Lewis Kirk joined RCAM's Regional Bands on their ‘Beat of the Nation’ Tour, performing on stage in the exquisite surroundings of the Elgar Concert Hall in Birmingham.

As a recipient of the Army Bursary, which offers a music bursary of up to £27,750 (£9,250 per year for up to three years) to students studying a performance-based music degree, he was invited by the Corps of Army Music to participate in their specialist training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the public performance tour that followed. After completing his own studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, Lewis will transfer to the Regular Army as a musician, joining one of these bands on a full time basis. He was joined on stage by ex Mercian Band French horn player Kas Kryszczuk, who is now a full time Army Musician with Army Band Colchester.

If you would like to find out more about the Army Bursary schemes and how you can benefit from a fully funded music degree, or if you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more. You never know, we might be just what you’re looking for!

The Royal Corps of Army Music

The Next Generation!

Tuesday evening last week looked a little different for The Band of the Mercian Regiment, as they travelled to Walsall Arena to take part in a joint training concert with Walsall Music Education Service’s Intermediate and Senior Wind Ensembles. Linking with the musicians of the future is always important, and it was fantastic to have the opportunity to work alongside and support some fantastic up and coming young talent. Who knows, maybe one day soon some of them will be sitting there in their scarlet uniforms mentoring and supporting the next generation themselves!

If you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more. You never know, we might be the next step on your musical journey!

walsallmusic
Walsall Music Education Service

Concert in Birmingham 2nd May

On the 2nd May, British Army Music on Tour presents Beat of the Nation. This concert is part of their county wide tour and promises to be a great night out.
Musician Kirk, who has an Army music bursary and is serving with The Band of the Mercian Regiment while completing his studies at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, will be performing with them, see if you can spot him on stage!
Follow the QR code for more information.

Today, at Nottingham Castle a scarlet jacket was raised to commemorate Badajoz Day.

The raising of the scarlet jacket symbolises the moment during the storming of Badajoz in 1812 when Lieutenant James MacPherson of the 45th (Nottinghamshire) Regiment, who was one of the first men to break through onto the castle ramparts, raised his jacket to let all know that the walls had been scaled.

Earlier today while the sun was shining bright, the citation was read out by Major Watts, CSM Woodward led the veterans on parade, Cpl Robert played the Last Post and Reveille watched by veterans and their families as well as members of the public.

Happy Mother’s Day!
A very happy Mother’s Day to all the mums who support their musicians to be in the reserves and to all those mums in the band raising and inspiring the next generation. Our musicians really appreciate the support of all our families in balancing what they do in the reserves with their family and work commitments, and no one is as proud as a musician performing in front of their family.

If you like what you read, why not get in touch to find out about joining! We are recruiting now – especially brass players. Being a Reserve Musician is flexible around your family and work commitments, with opportunities to train and perform with other bands and reserve musicians around the country and beyond! If you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more.

Congratulations to Musician Andrew Elwood, who recently competed in the Interservices Orienteering Championship, running as part of the Army team. He came a fantastic 5th place overall in a tough competition and contributed to the success of the Army team winning this year's Interservices Championship. This great result means he has been selected to compete for the UK Armed Forces team again this year and will be in action again with them in a few weeks time.
Congratulations and keep up the good work!

At the weekend, the saxophone quartet were out in support of the 4 Mercian Officers’ Mess Dinner held at Nottingham Castle. The group provided background music, toasts and atmosphere to the traditional mess evening in stunning surroundings.
Congratulations to Musician Beth Fisher-Dewhurst on her first engagement with the quartet.

New Year – New Challenge?
Happy New Year from The Band of the Mercian Regiment!

Are you looking for a new musical challenge - one that will let you take your music to new places and be paid to do it? If so, join us for a rewarding, flexible, part time playing position that fits around your work and family commitments.

Do you want ✅to get a tax free bonus of up to £1,670,✅opportunities to travel, ✅to play with lots of different groups, ✅to perform in lots of different locations, ✅to take your music further with professional qualifications, ✅to meet a great group of musical friends, ✅to get paid to attend rehearsals as well as gigs – then 2026 could be YOUR year! We can even provide the instruments!

If you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more.
Get in touch today – make your New Years resolution to be a reserve musician!