IN MEMORIAM Piet van Zetten - Ktsm

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BAND &
CORPS OF DRUMS, ROMFORD (GB)
The Band was founded in 1952 by Mr Peter Richardson
B.E.M. and is one of the longest running independent
youth bands in the UK today, membership is currently
70+. The age range of band members is 9 – 25 with
an average age of 17 years, there is an almost equal
amount of male and female members.
The Band participates at carnivals, parades, tattoos,
county shows and dedication ceremonies during the
year and also helps to raise money for charity. In past
years the Band has travelled extensively throughout
Great Britain and also on the Continent. The Band
travelled to Calella in Spain for a week to give performances
in 1992, 2002 and again in October 2006. In
2000 the Band took part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
in Dublin and was judged to be the Best Parade Band.
The Band returned to Dublin again to take part in the
Lord Mayor’s Parade on New Years Day 2004.
In August 2004, the Band undertook its biggest foreign
trip in its history by visiting the USA where it
was invited to perform at the Rochester International
Marine Tattoo and was given a standing ovation for its
performance. Over the years the Band has won many
contests and in 1993 travelled to Kerkrade in Holland to
take part in the World Music Contest and was awarded
two silver medals. It took part again in 1997 and 2001
and on each occasion was awarded two gold medals.
In 2005 the Band returned to Kerkrade yet again and
was awarded one gold and one silver medal.
The Band participated in the Traditional Youth Marching
Band Association Concert Band Contest in March
2004 and was judged to be National Champions and
Overall Supreme Champions. In April 2005 the Band
competed at the British Youth Band Association
Concert Band Championships and won the Supreme
Title and in April 2006 returned to defend its title
and was again crowned Supreme Champions. The
Band competed very successfully throughout 2006
in the Traditional Youth Marching Band Association’s
Marching Competitions (arena) and in November
2006 participated in the National Finals where it was
crowned National Champions and Overall Supreme
Champions 2006.
In 2007 the Band undertook trips to Germany and
France and also attended various tattoos and parades
in Great Britain including the Birmingham Military
Tattoo in November when we were honoured
to receive the award for the Best Band. In 2008
the Band travelled to Tattoos in Luxembourg and
Lille and performed at many events in Great Britain
throughout the summer months.
The Band Director is Ian Yeoman.
The Musical Director is Mark Whiteman.
The Band Drum Major is Sam Jepson