Isle of Wight Medina Marching Band at London Band Week

The community band took 56 playing members and seven support staff to London to play alongside other bands from across the UK and beyond.

London Band Week featured the world-famous His Majesty’s Royal Marine Corps of Drums, along with the largest marching band to every visit London, the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, in addition to a hand-picked selection of the finest marching bands from across the UK.

Brentwood Imperial Marching Band were kind enough to house the Islanders, who ‘slummed it on the floor’ during their stay!

Medina Marching Band took place in the London Tattoo at the ExCeL Centre on Saturday and a parade at King Henry VIII’s old stomping ground at Hampton Court Palace.

The band’s Corps of Drums also competed in the Drumline Battle, where bands performed their routines against each other in a knockout format.

The Islanders reached the final and faced the huge 280 members of The Pride of the Southland Tennessee, and managed to win the King’s Shield.

During the weekend, members of the band also received a masterclass from the Royal Marines Band.

The County Press asked Medina Marching Band’s chair, Kevin Downer, if the opportunity arose, would the band do it again.

He said: “Definitely! It was probably the biggest thing in our history. Such a professional event and the networking between the bands is so important as well.

“The tattoo was the highlight for me, and Hampton Court was a great backdrop. A truly memorable weekend of music, friendship and laughs! 

“None of this would be possible if we did not do the Island gigs in the community. Without them, we could not do all the big stuff!”

This week, it was announced that Medina Marching Band has become a member band of the Traditional Youth Marching Bands Association (TYMBA) community, with hopes it may help raise the band's profile and present more amazing opportunities.