The Music Behind Britain's Great State Ceremonies
Graham Jones to give next talk hosted by Arts Society SW London
Trooping the Colour – The Colonel’s Review 2023
January 20, 2026
The Arts Society SW London continues its 2026 programme with a richly detailed evening lecture exploring the pageantry, precision and musical mastery behind Britain’s most iconic ceremonial events. The talk, The Art of State Ceremonial Music, takes place on Monday 9 February, from 8pm to 9pm, at The Community Church on Werter Road, SW15 with doors open half an hour before commencement.
Tickets cost £10 for non-members of the society or £5 to view online.
The evening’s speaker, Graham Jones, brings exceptional authority to the subject. As former Director of Music for both the Household Division and the Coldstream Guards, he has led the military musicians responsible for Trooping the Colour, state visits, royal weddings, and national commemorations. His lecture will offer an insider’s view of how these world-famous spectacles are created — from the musical arrangements and rehearsals to the traditions that shape the sound of the modern ceremonial parade.
The Arts Society SW London is part of the wider national Arts Society network, a charitable organisation dedicated to enriching lives through the arts. The SW London branch has built a reputation for welcoming, high-quality cultural events that bring together people with a shared interest in art, history, music and design.
If you have never attended an Arts Society lecture before you are urged to join and find out about your local Arts Society.
Visit the society’s website for further details.
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