The Royal Marines Band Collingwood at Epsom Playhouse
Organised by Cllr Dr Graham Jones MBE (Lieutenant Colonel (retired) (RA Cuddington) the renowned Royal Marines Band Collingwood made a triumphant performance at the Epsom Playhouse on Friday night, delivering a rousing programme brimming with technical excellence, military precision, and heartfelt artistry. Conducted by Captain Phil Trudgeon and Warrant Officer 2 Bandmaster Jamie Gunn, the band captivated a near-capacity audience with a thrilling showcase of traditional military repertoire and popular favourites.
The evening began, fittingly, with the National Anthem performed with stately dignity, reflecting the band’s deep roots in national and royal service.
The opening item, Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein, displayed infectious energy and fizzing orchestration, setting a vibrant tone. Bernstein’s much-loved operetta is famed for its satirical bite, and the Marines captured its brilliance and wit with panache.
Next came John Philip Sousa’s Who’s Who in Navy Blue, a 1920 march celebrating American naval traditions, crisply articulated by the brass and percussion with authentic verve.
In a change of mood, the band shifted to the familiar strains of the Top Gun Theme, arranged by Laughton. Its soaring harmonies and stirring sense of adventure delighted the audience, showcasing the band’s ability to cross genres effortlessly.
The Drum Static interlude then brought the spotlight to the Corps of Drums. Their razor-sharp discipline, complex sticking patterns and synchronised movement brought rapturous applause.
Cape Helles by Young followed, a poignant musical tribute to the Gallipoli landings of 1915, performed with great sensitivity and power.
Alford’s lively The Mad Major quick march injected a welcome spark of lightness, its playful melody and military swagger a reminder of Alford’s enduring legacy as the “British March King.”
A show-stopping highlight came with Corporal Savage’s clarinet solo in Artie Shaw’s Clarinet Concerto, arranged by Cray. This 1940 swing-inspired concerto, with its swooping glissandi and jazz idioms, was delivered with aplomb and won a spontaneous ovation.
The first half concluded with two contrasting works. In Ireland by Lance Corporal Brooks explored traditional folk-tinged melodies with a fresh, lyrical approach. Finally, Frank Ticheli’s Vesuvius erupted with rhythmic fire and dramatic textures, a thrilling depiction of the famous volcano’s destructive power.
The second half began with Maiden Legacy, an arrangement by Captain Trudgeon, demonstrating the band’s ability to reinterpret newer repertoire with flair.
A stylish rendition of Skyfall, the James Bond theme popularised by Adele with band soloist Beth McGregor, delivered a rich, cinematic grandeur which clearly resonated with the audience.
For the finale, the band turned to a cornerstone of English wind music: Gustav Holst’s A Moorside Suite, originally written for brass band.
- The Scherzo sparkled with rhythmic energy,
- The Nocturne brought a serene, pastoral calm,
- And the concluding March was robust and dignified, the perfect platform for the band’s tonal power and ensemble unity.
Shenandoah, arranged by Frank Ticheli, offered a moving moment of reflection. This classic American folk tune, thought to date back to early 19th-century river boatmen, was performed with deep feeling and a sonorous blend. Played in memory of a young member of the band recently lost to motor neurone disease.
As dusk approached, the band performed the traditional Sunset, arranged by Green, a moment of quiet remembrance often associated with evening ceremonies in the Royal Navy.
The concert then closed with two of the Royal Marines’ most cherished musical emblems: Heart of Oak, the official march of the Royal Navy since the 18th century, and A Life on the Ocean Wave, the Royal Marines’ regimental march, based on Henry Russell’s 19th-century song. These stirring finales underlined the band’s powerful heritage and left the audience in no doubt of their world-class standing.
However, the audience would not let them go without an encore and with Eric Coates’ great Dambusters March all left satisfied.
The Royal Marines Band Service has maintained its traditions since the 18th century, combining musical excellence with operational service. The Band Collingwood, based at HMS Collingwood, continues to support Royal Navy and national ceremonial events across the UK and internationally. Its members are trained both as musicians and as deployable service personnel, maintaining a dual role unmatched in the military music world.
The evening was also attended by members of the local branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), who noted in the programme that concerts like these are an enduring link between the public and the Armed Forces, highlighting the shared remembrance and respect for those who have served.
This concert was a brilliant reminder of the pride, tradition, and sheer artistry of the Royal Marines Band Collingwood, whose excellence lifted the hearts of all who were privileged to hear them.
Well done to Dr Graham Jones for bringing such a memorable evening to Epsom.
Image courtesy Steven McCormick Photography
