The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra (CWSO) [1] is a 24-member string band from the British Army's Royal Corps of Army Music. It is the only independent full-time string band in the British Armed Forces. [2] It is named after the Duchess of Edinburgh, formerly Countess of Wessex, the daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, sister-in-law of King Charles III and Colonel-in-Chief of RCAM. It is stationed from the former quarters of the Royal Artillery at Woolwich Barracks. [3]
There have been string bands in existence in the British Army since the mid-18th century, usually being sported by units of the Royal Artillery. In 1994, the Royal Artillery Band and Orchestra were absorbed in the newly formed Corps of Army Music. It was announced on 30 July 2013 that the Royal Artillery Orchestra would cease to exist in favour of a forthcoming "State String Orchestra", following cuts to Army Music. [4] On 3 March 2014, Queen Elizabeth approved the title of the "Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra" for the new military band in honour of the CAMUS Colonel-in-Chief. [5] It was officially created on 1 April 2014. Earlier that February, the Royal Artillery Band, formed a special "Veterans of the Royal Artillery Band" that paraded on General Gordon's Square for the last time in Woolwich. [4] The Countess of Wessex first visited the orchestra in early December. [6] The visit saw the orchestra perform a piece composed by members of the orchestra in her honor. [7]
It has been invited to perform at events such as investitures, ceremonies at Royal Households, state banquets and dinners. Its task is unique to the group as it is the first dedicated military ensemble designed for non-traditional instruments. [8] It has performed in a combined setting with its counterparts from the Royal Air Force and Royal Marines: the RAF Music Salon Orchestra and the String Orchestra from the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth. [9]
The Royal Armoured Corps is the component of the British Army, that together with the Household Cavalry provides its armour capability, with vehicles such as the Challenger 2 Tank and the Warrior tracked armoured vehicle. It includes most of the Army's armoured regiments, both the Royal Tank Regiment and those converted from old horse cavalry regiments. Today it comprises twelve regiments, eight regular and four reserve. Although the Household Cavalry Regiment provide an armoured regiment, they are not part of the RAC.
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery (RA) and colloquially known as "The Gunners", is one of two regiments that make up the artillery arm of the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises thirteen Regular Army regiments, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and five Army Reserve regiments.
A military band is a group of personnel that performs musical duties for military functions, usually for the armed forces. A typical military band consists mostly of wind and percussion instruments. The conductor of a band commonly bears the title of Bandmaster or Music director. Ottoman military bands are thought to be the oldest variety of military marching bands in the world, dating from the 13th century.
The Royal Corps of Army Music is a Corps of the British Army dedicated to the provision and promotion of military music.
Woolwich Garrison is a garrison or station of the British Army. Geographically it is in Woolwich, in the London Borough of Greenwich. In terms of command, it is within the Army's London District.
Larkhill is a garrison town in the civil parish of Durrington, Wiltshire, England. It lies about 1+3⁄4 miles (2.8 km) west of the centre of Durrington village and 1+1⁄2 mi (2.4 km) north of the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge. It is about 10 mi (16 km) north of Salisbury.
The 43rd Infantry Brigade was a brigade of the British Army during the First and Second World Wars, and later, as 43 (Wessex) Brigade, a regional headquarters from 1985 to 2014.
Nigel Clarke is a British composer and musician. He is a former head of composition and contemporary music at the London College of Music and Media.
The Royal Artillery Mounted Band was a British military band consisting of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, and military unit, founded in 1886, and in existence until 1984, representing the Royal Artillery, and the Royal Horse Artillery, and augmenting the Royal Artillery Band at royal and state occasions.
The Royal Artillery Band was the first official, and permanent British military band originating in 1557, but granted official status in 1762. Consisting of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, it represented both the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and the state. The Royal Artillery Orchestra [disbanded on 9 February 2014] was Britain's first permanent professional orchestra. All other bands in the British Army received official, permanent status from 1763 onward. Now that the band's overall history of over four and a half centuries has come to an end, it is now claimed that the Band of the Grenadier Guards are the oldest band, with their overall history of over three hundred and thirty years. It is however, important to consider that until 1762, all military bands were formed as and when required, and then immediately disbanded when not, and that they consisted only of hired, civilian musicians; becoming integrated professional soldiers in 1762 and from 1763.
1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade of the British Army was created as part of the Army 2020 reform, to command military intelligence, ISTAR, and electronic warfare units.
The 1st Artillery Brigade was a support formation of the British Army from 1961-77 and from 1997. Part of the 3rd Division, it oversaw all army close support artillery and deep fires units. Under the Future Soldier programme, the brigade merged with 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade to form 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team.
The structure of the British Army is being reorganised to the Future Soldier structure. The Army is commanded by the Chief of the General Staff (CGS), with Army Headquarters which is located in Andover, Hampshire. Subordinate to that post, there is a Commander Field Army, and a personnel and UK operations command, Home Command.
Headquarters South West is a Colonel's command of the British Army formed to oversee the area of South West England.
Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, is a barracks of the British Army which forms part of Woolwich Garrison. The Royal Regiment of Artillery had its headquarters here from 1776 until 2007, when it was moved to Larkhill Garrison.
The National Reserve Headquarters, Royal Artillery is an Army Reserve administrative group of the Royal Artillery which oversees the recruitment and maintaining of specialist reserve units and personnel.
The 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team is a formation of the British Army, currently headquartered in Delhi Barracks, Tidworth Camp, Wiltshire, as part of the 3rd Division.
The Field Army Troops is the name given to those units falling under direct control of Headquarters, Field Army.