The Band of the Coldstream Guards in Concert

We are extremely lucky to be hosting one of the Army’s finest bands in concert – the Band of the Coldstream Guards. Join us at Newcastle Cathedral for this poignant commemorative concert, jointly raising funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and St John Ambulance.

The Band of the Coldstream Guards

The Band of the Coldstream Guards is one of the oldest and best known military bands in the world. During its long and distinguished existence, the Band has achieved a worldwide reputation for excellence. The Band can trace its roots back to a Royal Warrant issued by King Charles II on 3rd January 1685 authorising a small musical ensemble in the King’s Regiment of Foot Guards in London.

The Coldstream Guards

The Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army. Having never been amalgamated, the Regiment has been in continuous service since 1650. Originally named Monck’s Regiment of Foot, it was later renamed The Lord General’s Regiment of Foot Guards in 1660. With Monck’s death in 1670, it was renamed The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards  after the location from which it marched to help restore the Monarchy in 1660. Its name was later changed to The Coldstream Guards in 1855.

The grouping of buttons on the tunic is a common way to distinguish between the regiments of Foot Guards. The buttons of the Coldstream Guards are arranged in pairs, with a Star of the Garter marked on their brassware. Unlike the other four regiments of foot guards, which recruit from each of the four home nations, the Coldstream Guards has a specific recruiting area, which encompasses the counties that Monck’s Regiment passed through on its march from Coldstream to London.

The Regiment is ranked second in the Order of Precedence, behind The Grenadier Guards. The Regiment’s motto is Nulli Secundus (Second to None), which is a play on the fact that the Regiment was originally the “Second Regiment of Foot Guards”, a position they have never accepted as the Regiment is older than the Grenadier Guards. The Regiment is always referred to as the Coldstream, never as the Coldstreams; likewise, a member of the regiment is referred to as a Coldstreamer.

Musical Workshops

During the day, the Band will be conducting musical workshops with local schools at the Cathedral. This will give the students an insight into professional military music, and the opportunities available as a musician in the British Army.

Concert Tickets

Tickets for the concert cost £10.00 per person and are available at the link below. The concert’s profits will be split equally between the two charities.