The Band of the Mercian Regiment

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The Band of the Mercian Regiment

This is the official page for The Band of the Mercian Regiment, an Army Reserve Forces Band

16/06/2026

Musician Lewis Kirk has just returned from spending a week with The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. As part of his week, he took part a range of training including Big Band, Full Band and culminating in a ‘Postcards from around the World’ concert in Livingston. Musician Kirk, who is on a music bursary scheme and will join the Regulars after he completes his studies, thoroughly enjoyed his week and the opportunity to meet and work with such a variety of skilled musicians. The opportunity to work with Regular bands, with a range of exciting and different music, with skilled musicians, in interesting places, is one of the perks of being a Reserve Musician.

If you like what you read, why not get in touch to find out about joining – we are recruiting NOW! Being a Reserve Musician is flexible around your family and work commitments, with opportunities to train and perform with other bands and reserve musicians around the country and beyond! If you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more.

Pictured here are (L-R):Musn Kirk ( The Band of the Mercian Regiment); Musn Eggleton ( The Lowland Band The Royal Regiment of Scotland ); Musn Barrett, ( Lancashire Artillery Band ); Musn Kennedy (Lowland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland); and LCpl Kolb ( Royal Signals (Northern) Band ).

09/06/2026

On Sunday, The Mercian Regiment paid tribute to the 26 soldiers who have given their lives on operations in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2013. A memorial to the fallen was consecrated in the south transept in Chester Cathedral. The Service of Remembrance was attended by some of the soldiers’ families as well as senior commanders of the Regiment. Last Post was sounded by Corporal Wendy Robert.
We will remember them.

30/05/2026

This week, the Band of the Mercian Regiment said goodbye and good luck to our Director of Music, Captain Ian Johnson, as he leaves Wolverhampton to move north and take up the post of Director of Music for The Royal Signals (Northern) Band in Darlington. Captain Johnson joined the Regiment seven years ago when he transferred from Regular to Reserve and settled in his home town.

During his tenure as DOM, the Band of the Mercian Regiment have performed at many prestigious events around the UK and further afield, and its various ensembles have featured in events around the world. As part of his send off, Captain Johnson received a regimental presentation as a memento of his time with the Mercians, bearing the Regimental motto ‘Stand Firm, Strike Hard’. He is moving areas to be closer to his family and everyone wishes him good luck with his new post, house move and future musical endeavours. No doubt the two bands will work together in the future and we will see him on the counter march.

Good luck Sir and thanks for all the music.

24/05/2026

Last weekend, the Band of the Merian Regiment's Saxophone quartet performed at the Joint Officers’, Warrant Officers’ and
Sergeants’ Mess dinner night at Wolseley House. They performed a selection of music including Band of Brothers, Bohemian Rhapsody and Friend Like Me to entertain during the dinner, to an audience that included some of the Band's senior ranks. There was a lot of praise for their performance, both from their fellow musicians and from the wider regimental attendees.
Congratulations!

If you like what you read, why not get in touch to find out about joining!
Being a Reserve Musician is flexible around your family and work commitments, with opportunities to train and perform with other bands and reserve musicians around the country and beyond! If you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more.

03/05/2026

Beat of the Nation

Last night, Musician Lewis Kirk joined RCAM's Regional Bands on their ‘Beat of the Nation’ Tour, performing on stage in the exquisite surroundings of the Elgar Concert Hall in Birmingham.

As a recipient of the Army Bursary, which offers a music bursary of up to £27,750 (£9,250 per year for up to three years) to students studying a performance-based music degree, he was invited by the Corps of Army Music to participate in their specialist training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the public performance tour that followed. After completing his own studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, Lewis will transfer to the Regular Army as a musician, joining one of these bands on a full time basis. He was joined on stage by ex Mercian Band French horn player Kas Kryszczuk, who is now a full time Army Musician with Army Band Colchester.

If you would like to find out more about the Army Bursary schemes and how you can benefit from a fully funded music degree, or if you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more. You never know, we might be just what you’re looking for!

The Royal Corps of Army Music

29/04/2026

The Next Generation!

Tuesday evening last week looked a little different for The Band of the Mercian Regiment, as they travelled to Walsall Arena to take part in a joint training concert with Walsall Music Education Service’s Intermediate and Senior Wind Ensembles. Linking with the musicians of the future is always important, and it was fantastic to have the opportunity to work alongside and support some fantastic up and coming young talent. Who knows, maybe one day soon some of them will be sitting there in their scarlet uniforms mentoring and supporting the next generation themselves!

If you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more. You never know, we might be the next step on your musical journey!

walsallmusic
Walsall Music Education Service

19/04/2026

Concert in Birmingham 2nd May

On the 2nd May, British Army Music on Tour presents Beat of the Nation. This concert is part of their county wide tour and promises to be a great night out.
Musician Kirk, who has an Army music bursary and is serving with The Band of the Mercian Regiment while completing his studies at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, will be performing with them, see if you can spot him on stage!
Follow the QR code for more information.

06/04/2026

Today, at Nottingham Castle a scarlet jacket was raised to commemorate Badajoz Day.

The raising of the scarlet jacket symbolises the moment during the storming of Badajoz in 1812 when Lieutenant James MacPherson of the 45th (Nottinghamshire) Regiment, who was one of the first men to break through onto the castle ramparts, raised his jacket to let all know that the walls had been scaled.

Earlier today while the sun was shining bright, the citation was read out by Major Watts, CSM Woodward led the veterans on parade, Cpl Robert played the Last Post and Reveille watched by veterans and their families as well as members of the public.

15/03/2026

Happy Mother’s Day!
A very happy Mother’s Day to all the mums who support their musicians to be in the reserves and to all those mums in the band raising and inspiring the next generation. Our musicians really appreciate the support of all our families in balancing what they do in the reserves with their family and work commitments, and no one is as proud as a musician performing in front of their family.

If you like what you read, why not get in touch to find out about joining! We are recruiting now – especially brass players. Being a Reserve Musician is flexible around your family and work commitments, with opportunities to train and perform with other bands and reserve musicians around the country and beyond! If you are a musician (woodwind, brass, percussion) of grade 6 or higher standard, or an ex regular musician, then contact - C/Sgt Wheeler at [email protected] to find out more.

19/02/2026

Congratulations to Musician Andrew Elwood, who recently competed in the Interservices Orienteering Championship, running as part of the Army team. He came a fantastic 5th place overall in a tough competition and contributed to the success of the Army team winning this year's Interservices Championship. This great result means he has been selected to compete for the UK Armed Forces team again this year and will be in action again with them in a few weeks time.
Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Address

Fallings Park Army Reserve Centre
Wolverhampton
WV109QR

Telephone

+441902303835

Website

https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/mercian-regiment/

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