The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas are very popular around the world and when possible, they like to perform as a concert band. On the 21st of October 2022, the band was asked to perform a charity concert in support of the Gurkha Welfare Trust at St Paul’s Church in central Salisbury. Under the joint direction of Captain Esther Hayes (Director of Music) and Captain Sunil Gurung (Assistant Director of Music).
The concert was a mix of traditional military and concert band music, but with added additions of a feature on panpipes with a beat box accompaniment, plus a solo item on Tuba by Corporal Doran Gurung and a duo based on the hit song, What A Wonderful World with a singer Staff Sergeant Mani Kumar Rai and saxophonist Sergeant Gajendra Gurung. The Bagpipers from The First Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles featuring with the band performing last of the Mohicans and Highland Cathedral were again highly appreciated by the audience. The concert also saw traditional Nepalese dancing performed by some of the new members of the band, dressed in traditional Nepalese outfits.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust ensure that Gurkha veterans, their widows and their wider communities are able to live with dignity. They achieve this primarily through the provision of financial, medical and community aid in Nepal, operating through 21 Area Welfare Centres spread across traditional Gurkha recruiting areas in Nepal. In the UK, in conjunction with other service charities and government bodies, we offer advice and support to help the thousands of retired Gurkhas and their families who choose to settle here.
Photos by Mr Mick Latter – Head of Communications HQ Brigade of Gurkhas
