The Band of the Coldstream Guards made a guest appearance at Cranleigh School, spending the whole day with students culminating in a special concert in our Chapel. The Regiment was formed in 1650 and the Band is one of the oldest and best-known military marching bands in the world. The band is celebrating its 240th anniversary this year.
Band members worked directly with music students, rehearsing for the concert in the evening. They also led a marching workshop for our Combined Cadet Force and an Armed Forces careers presentation.
Richard Saxel, Director of Music at Cranleigh School said: “First and foremost, a huge thank you to the Coldstream Guards for bringing their musical energy and excellence to Cranleigh. It’s a real coup for us to have this world-renowned band with us for a whole day. The workshops were a chance for our music students to play alongside professional musicians of the highest calibre and the evening concert was an absolute treat.”
Cranleigh School’s Chapel has hosted many famous musicians and musical performances and on Wednesday evening more than a hundred students and local families were treated to a special concert featuring the music of John Williams, Daft Punk and Phillip Sparke as well as several traditional regimental marches.
Lance Sergeant Steve Clarke, said: “It was incredible to play our music in a setting like this, with pupils like this. For us, it’s about engagement and using music to connect communities. The Regiment has just moved to Sandhurst and so it was a perfect opportunity for us to come to Cranleigh. We love working with schools which have amazing music departments. There’s a lot of correlation between music and academic study, especially with the concentration and discipline you need to learn an instrument. You can tell when you come to a school that values music and this place is bouncing with soul.”
The Coldstream Guards visit continues a long tradition of connections between the School and the Armed Forces. The School’s Combined Cadet Force dates back to 1900 and has evolved into a thriving activity that is integral to the ethos of the School. The primary role of the CCF is to promote leadership, teamwork and service and many cadets go on to join the forces. Our Contingent is part of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment. The School is part of the Continuity of Education Allowance scheme to help military families with the costs of boarding school fees ensuring continuous education despite frequent moves and assignments.
