THE REGIMENTAL Band of the Coldstream Guards is to play at Smithills School in Bolton.

The visit, on Saturday, September 18, has been described as a "coup" by the school's director of arts, Chris Wormald.

And the school's highly-rated young musicians will have the opportunity to play alongside the Guards.

Mr Wormald said: "I think this is the most amazing coup we've ever pulled off at Smithills."

He said the school had held negotiations over many months to finalise the arrangements.

The regimental band will perform under bandmaster Gavin W Holden.

Smithills School Senior Concert Band, under conductor Duncan Silcock, will also play two short items.

And Mr Wormald has been invited to conduct the joint massed bands for a performance of the Hymn to the Fallen.

He said: "I have already had the pleasure of welcoming Gavin Holden to have a look around our new arts college facilities and he is very excited about developing an ongoing link between the band and Smithills."

Earlier this year, the Coldstream Guards played at the Trooping of the Colour ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. The regimental band was formed in 1785 when a dozen German musicians were enlisted by the Duke of York, colonel of the regiment, and sent to England to replace civilian performers.

The full band today totals some 50 musicians and has performed across the world.

During its long and distinguished existence, the band has achieved a worldwide reputation for excellence.

In addition to musical duties, it carries out a medical role during wartime, which was exercised most recently during the first Gulf conflict.

For the Smithills concert, which starts at 7.30pm, 350 free tickets are available on a first come, first allocated basis.

To request tickets (maximum four per caller) telephone 01204 842382. Tickets must then be collected in person from the reception at Smithills School before September 18.

FACTFILE:

The Regimental Band of The Coldstream Guards was formed in 1785 when a dozen German musicians were enlisted by HRH The Duke of York, Colonel of the Regiment, and sent to England to replace civilian performers who were hired month by month for the sole purpose of playing The King's Guard to Buckingham Palace and back.

The full band today totals some 50 musicians including the director of music.

During its long and distinguished existence, the Regimental Band of The Coldstream Guards has achieved a worldwide reputation for excellence. In

addition to musical duties, it carries out a medical role during wartime, which was exercised most recently throughout the period of the first Gulf conflict.

In June 1944, some two weeks after the Normandy landings had taken place, the band was on duty at morning service when the Guards Chapel was bombed. Six of its members, including the director of music were killed.

Since the end of World War Two in 1945 the band has performed all over the World including tours to North America, Japan and Australasia.

It again achieved international acclaim some three years ago when performing in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace following the September 11 tragedy.

Bandmaster Gavin Holden joined the Army Junior School of Music, Junior Leaders Regiment in Bovington in 1985 and next year will celebrate 20 years service with the British Army.

After many tours abroad, including Germany, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Saudi Arabia, Bandmaster Holden was selected to attend Kneller Hall for a three year undergraduate course attaining a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Diploma in Bandmastership.