The Regimental Band Of The Royal Welsh
The Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh has a versatility of style and repertoire, which is both unique and highly popular whether on parade as a marching band or on the concert platform. Their playing and marching portrays that musical quality for which the band is renowned throughout Wales. The band is the last surviving all-brass band within British Army Music.
On a number of occasions the band have played for the Royal Family. On 1st March 2006 they performed at the historic opening of the new Welsh Assembly building in Cardiff Bay in front of Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. They have also made many television appearances ranging from the spiritual series ‘Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol’ (S4C) and the ‘Codi Canu’ (S4C) search for a choir to perform at the Wales v England rugby match, to performing during the opening sequence of the 2005 Royal Variety Show.
The band has continued to play at many major sporting events, in particular during the Six Nations championship matches at the world-famous Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Their presence here has been greatly appreciated across the world.
The Band has also travelled extensively abroad, to such countries as Belgium, Germany, and France and, on two occasions to Canada; first in 1995 and more recently in 2004. The Band and Drums most recent tour was in November 2007 when they visited Australia and performed in the fantastic Sydney Opera House, amongst other venues.
Many of the Band’s engagements are enhanced by the presence of The Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh. Their inimitable style and expertise always adds the final polish to any performance. The Band and Drums are very active in supporting the service charities, and pride themselves on supporting all the varying service units within Wales, as well as in a variety of activities both civil and commercial representing their Regiment, the Army and the people of Wales.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Major Denis Burton MMus FLCM ARCM ps
Major Burton enlisted into the army as a trombonist and he quickly established himself as the principal in the Staff Band of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He was selected for the Bandmaster course and passed out as top student, winning six first prizes including the Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal.
His appointments as Bandmaster were to The Second Battalion the Light Infantry, The Light Infantry Salamanca Band and in The Training Development Team at Kneller Hall. As Director of Music he was to lead the Band of the Royal Lancers, the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers and as Chief Instructor at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. His final appointment in regular service was as Director of Music, Grenadier Guards achieving world-class standards of excellence in performance and high profile state ceremonial.
His career has certainly been ubiquitous with service and performances throughout the World. As well as touring extensively throughout Europe, he has also toured North, Central and South America, the Middle East, and Australia. He is the composer of five army regimental marches and has compositions and arrangements published by companies in the United Kingdom and Europe. He has been a lecturer and course leader for the London College of Music and is the president of a number of musical groups.
Although not a Welshman, he is happy and proud to live in the principality and have the opportunity to be the first Director of Music of the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh.
