The presence of His Majesty King Charles in his first public appearance as Captain General Royal Marines proved a moving and surprise bonus to those attending Friday evening’s (10th March 2023) spectacular performance by the world-renowned Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines at the 51st Mountbatten Festival of Music.
It was the first of three sell-out concerts held this past weekend at London’s Royal Albert Hall to raise funds for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities, the final amount of which will be announced shortly.
With over 100 musicians on stage, including the world-famous Royal Marines Corps of Drums (joined also by drummers from the Netherlands Marine Corps), audiences gave standing ovations to many of the outstanding performances that took them on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the world of music. Included alongside the usual military favourites, was a‘Tribute to Hollywood’ by re-formed swing band The Oceanaires; ‘The Forgotten War’ – a powerful composition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement being signed, and an exceptionally stirring and tear-jerking appearance by singers from the inspirational Music Man project.
This year’s Festival of Music was also a particularly poignant and emotional event for Corps Bandmaster and Executive Producer, Warrant Officer 1 Ivan Hutchinson Royal Marines, who composed and conducted the opening fanfare ‘The King, Our Captain General’. It marked his last MFM appearance after 34 years’ service as he retires later in the year; along with Principal Director of Music Lieutenant Colonel Jase Burcham Royal Marines who conducted the latter part of the programme: it was also the very last performance for popular saxophonist Band Colour Sergeant Gordon Carter, retiring after 40 years’ service, wowed the audiences with his incredible solo rendition of ‘Against All Odds’.
In thanking all those who supported and played valued roles in this year’s hugely successful event, Corps Bandmaster, Ivan Hutchinson, said: “The Mountbatten Festival of Music is a major source of fundraising for the charities and so is an event close to all our hearts.
It’s always a privilege, too, to play to such appreciative and generous audiences – and of course was a particular honour this year to play for His Majesty for the first time since having become our Captain General.”
Musicians were drawn from three of the five Royal Marine Bands, all of which are widely respected as being some of the most talented and versatile professionals on the international stage. Just as impressive is that they are all fully trained, operational Royal Marines, in the news most recently for their roles supporting the NHS during the COVID pandemic and ambulance personnel strike action.
Those not able to be at the Mountbatten Festival of Music, will not have missed out as another of The Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines’ spectacular shows is being taken on a UK tour for the first time in September 2023. Tickets available for sale now at https://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/events/