Cassino Band
The past year has been extremely busy for the Cassino Band,
entertaining the public and guests at numerous events, but also
working hard on achieving star grade assessments under the
leadership of SMI George Morrison and his focussed team of
adult volunteers. The first major event of the year was playing at
a St.Patrick’s Day concert at The Jolly Fisherman in Craster, a
jolly time was had by all. Come April most musicians attended a
week of intensive training at Otterburn CTC. A chance to build
upon, and sharpen their skills and have some extended time
together, working hard and having fun. A highlight of the Spring
engagements was being invited to play at the Prudhoe
Detachment cadet dinner night, where they entertained with their
impressive drum black light display.
The annual parents’ evening and BBQ held in May was an
opportunity for cadets to thank their family and friends for their
continual support. It was the first opportunity for the newly
formed ceilidh band to perform in public. The ensemble has been created by the cadets themselves, under the
direction of LCpl Rebecca Graham and Cadet Claire Devlin. Later the same month the Corps of Drums were
present at the North East Children’s Cancer Run playing to the crowds before, during and after the main event on
the racecourse at High Gosforth Park.
In June, the bugle section had the privilege to play with the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, performing
“High on a Hill.” Come July the band travelled to Alnwick Castle to take part in a Beating of Retreat. August
marked the centenary of the outbreak of WW1, and the band played at a commemorative service at Hexham
Abbey, attended by the Duchess of Northumberland.
Members travelled to Salisbury Plain for annual camp, taking part in a range of training activities as well as playing
at both the senior cadets and officers’ mess dinner nights. During the Autumn a further week of training at
Otterburn was followed by a performance at the Tynemouth Volunteer Artillery Association Dinner and the
Remembrance Day parade in Cramlington. Members of the bugle section also played the last post at numerous
services across the region. In 2015 the band is looking forward to a return to Italy to participate in a series of public
engagements.
The Cassino Band parades on Wednesday evenings at Kingston Park Army Reserve Centre. New members are
encouraged, no previous musical experience is necessary and individuals can if they wish also continue with
standard APC activity. Band members have the opportunity to earn a BTEC Level 2 in musical performance .
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