Royal Marines band set to play with South Lakes music pupils

The Band Of His Majesty’s Royal Marines will be visiting Ulverston Victoria High School (UVHS) on April 25/26.

This year sees the two organisations celebrate the 20th anniversary of the unique partnership between them – one that has seen eight former students from UVHS become full-time Marines within the Band Service.

Several others  are currently in the process of applying to join the service or about to apply.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Not only have Ulverston students been able to enjoy the amazing musical experience of working alongside arguably the finest band service in the world in The Coro, but many over the last 20 years have also been invited down to the RMBS HQ in Portsmouth for work experience weeks, getting the opportunity to sample living and working as a Royal Marines and as a professional musician.”

On Friday, the two main bands will rehearse together at The Coro, before a function band social event for the students, parents and friends of UVHS Music Department.

The evening will feature extended performance sets from the award-winning UVHS Swing Band and the Marines Dance Band.

On Saturday, the bands will rehearse once more in preparation for the main event – a joint wind band concert at The Coro, conducted by Richard Butler MBE and Captain Ann Miller.

The concert will also feature the world-famous Corps of Drums, performing dazzling drumming displays.

Richard Butler MBE, head of music and assistant headteacher at UVHS, said:  “It is such an honour to be able to host the Royal Marines band once, let alone on an almost annual basis for the last 20 years.

“Our students get so much out of this unique experience and we are ever-grateful to the RMBS for still wanting it to continue.  

“We are also honoured that the Principal Director of Music (and ‘boss’) of the Band Service, Lt Col Huw Williams, will be travelling up from Portsmouth for the weekend in honour of the 20th anniversary of our collaborative link. We are all very excited.”

Some tickets are still available for April 26 via the box office at the Coro.

Tickets for the Friday evening social are only available from UVHS Music Department via students, parents or staff.