MUSICIANS from Haslingden High School got the chance to play for Royalty when their Scout Band played at Windsor.
2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band was invited to play at Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s Scout celebrations.
Prince Michael of Kent inspected the assembled groups, Prince Philip was spotted and the Queen watched from a castle window.
Four students along with ICT technician George Hanson, who plays tuba and bass trombone with the band, went to Windsor.
Annie Ryder, 16, plays tenor horn and has been with the band for five years; James Turner, 15, is principal cornet player and has been with the band for seven years.
James’ brother Harry, 13, plays second cornet and has been with the band for 18 months while Lauren Heywood-Clough, 14, joined the band three years ago and plays second trombone.
James said: “It was the national Scout St George’s Day parade and 600 Scouts from all over the country were receiving their Queen’s Scout. When we got to the quadrangle in Windsor there were 3,000 people watching.”
2nd Rossendale was the only Scout brass band playing, the Royal Scots Guards were playing and a Scout drum corps from Coventry.
In Windsor they played New Recruit, Punchinello and Slaidburn and led the parade through the streets of Windsor from St George’s Chapel after the service.
The band also earned high praise from fellow Scout leaders who were attending and the Royal Scots Guards Band, who also played.
Annie said: “As we walked into the quadrangle through an archway the castle was just so massive and the grass was immaculate.
“I was so pleased that we had done so much practise marching because that meant we didn’t have to think about what we were doing and could just do it.”
Videos of the brass band’s performance are available on the group’s Facebook page and YouTube and have been watched by supporters across the globe.
The band stayed in Bracknell and rehearsed on the sixth floor car park of a shopping centre and in a small Salvation Army hall.
They performed at a concert on Saturday night at the Garrison Church in Windsor as well as Sunday’s celebration of St George with Royalty.
The band has been rehearsing and practising by marching and playing in all weathers; snow, rain and wind and on all terrain.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls was in attendance and addressed the groups assembled in the quadrangle.
Lauren unfortunately stumbled while performing and injured her ankle, but ever the true professional she carried on playing until the end of the number.
Harry said he found playing easier than he had expected because of all the practise the band had put in.
To see the band play, visit the Facebook page 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band.