The Corps of Army Music (CAMUS) is a Corps of the British Army which was formed in 1994 following the defence review Options for Change. Bands wear the cap badges of employing Corps and Divisions or Regiments of Infantry. The primary role of Army Bands is to play music in support of the Army's moral component and to assist in its engagement with civilian communities. This musical contribution can be at home or abroad. Today's modern Army musicians are extremely capable and multi-talented. Not only are there marching and symphonic concert bands but almost any other musical ensemble from Strings to Rock Bands. The role of Army musicians is varied, from parading in marching bands outside Buckingham Palace to performing for the troops in operational theatres such as Afghanistan.
The formation of the Corps of Army Music was triggered by a Defence review known as Options for Change in the early 1990s and followed a 1993 announcement by the Chief of the General Staff that the number of Army bands was to be reduced from 69 to 29.
Her Majesty The Queen signed a warrant on 13 August 1994 to allow formation of the Corps of Army Music. This stated that it was Her will and pleasure that all officers who were Directors of Music in the various Corps and Regiments and that all Army musicians should transfer to the Corps of Army Music - now the newest and most junior Corps in the Army - on 1 September 1994.
It was a natural development that the home of the Corps should be at Kneller Hall in Twickenham, a site that encompasses the Headquarters the Corps of Army Music and the Royal Military School of Music. The school was founded by His Royal Highness Field Marshal the Duke of Cambridge, soon after his appointment as Commander in Chief in 1857, when the first class of military musicians was formed, a 'Class of Music'. The establishment was graciously retitled as The Royal Military School of Music in the Golden Jubilee year of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, 1887. A plaque to commemorate the Centenary of the School's opening was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 and, on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary, Her Majesty was further pleased to appoint Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex as Colonel-in-Chief.
The role of the Headquarters is to give direction and professional advice on Army music matters and develop and sustain the ethos of Army musicians wherever they serve in order to assist the Army's contribution to current and future defence capability.
Bands wear the cap badges of employing Corps and Divisions or Regiments of infantry and provide musical support subject to their availability as directed by Commander Regional Forces. Their major operational role is to provide a chemical decontamination capability in support of the Army Medical Services. The Royal Military School of Music plays a vital role for the Bands of the Army in shaping the attitudes, values and standards of musicians and in training those who are selected for the Bandmaster Course. Kneller Hall is also the home to a museum with a well-regarded collection of musical instruments and material for educational purposes: development of this collection is underway with a view to it becoming a fully-fledged Corps Museum.
The Future Army Structures review of 2006 saw the bands of the Regular Army reduced from 30 to 24 including that of the Brigade of Gurkhas, the only Corps of Army Music member of which is its Director of Music.
The Corps was further reduced in 2007 with the loss of the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment under NI normalization. There are now 23 Bands of the Regular Army.
Read more about Corps Of Army Music: Bands of The Corps, Corps of Drums/Pipes and Drums, Territorial Army Bands, Headquarters Corps of Army Music HQ CAMUS
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