Royal Navy Volunteer Band Festival returns to Plymouth

June will see the return of the prestigious Royal Navy Volunteer Band Festival to Plymouth for the first time in over a decade. An annual event in the naval calendar the festival will showcase the talents of 400 volunteer musicians representing the Royal Navy, made up of 9 bands.

Royal Navy Volunteer Bands are an enthusiastic mix of serving, retired and civilian musicians. The players are all amateur musicians and give their time freely to represent and support the Royal Navy at military and non-military functions and events. The Royal Naval Volunteer Bands can trace their ancestry back to the Royal Navy Blue Jacket bands and as such have been a part of naval life for over 100 years.

Each band will display not only their musical abilities but also take part in spectacular marching displays, a daylong event there will be lots for everyone to see.

The event will follow the return of the popular Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27th June and will take place on Plymouth Hoe with its spectacular views across Plymouth sound as part of an exciting weekend of military displays, air shows and family activities.

Vice Admiral Sir David Steel KBE DL, Second Sea Lord said

“I am absolutely delighted that the Royal Naval Volunteer Band Festival is returning to Plymouth.  The nine volunteer bands, representing Royal Navy ships and establishments, conduct nearly four hundred formal engagements a year, and have gained a reputation for their professionalism and musical talent.  Competing on Plymouth Hoe throughout Sunday 28 June 2015, as a central part of the City’s Armed Forces Weekend, I am sure that they will provide the most outstanding entertainment as they compete in this prestigious annual competition” 

The Bands will attend from across the UK and will include locally based Devonport Royal Navy Band based in HMS Drake competing for the prestigious trophies. Alongside Armed Forces Day on Saturday, the Royal Navy Volunteer Band Festival on the Sunday will create an Armed Forces Weekend, attracting thousands of visitors to the city.

Cllr Peter Smith Plymouth City Council said: "I am delighted to see the Royal Navy Volunteer Band Festival return to Plymouth as part of our Armed Forces weekend, a great opportunity to showcase the bands talents in a spectacular location.”