Red Deer Royals march into their 50th season
October 02, 2019
The Red Deer Royals Marching Show Band is officially 50 years old and to mark the milestone we performed fifty times this year, both locally and internationally.
The Red Deer Royals Marching Show Band is officially 50 years old and to mark the milestone we performed fifty times this year, both locally and internationally. There were plenty of highlights including a performance during the opening ceremony of the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer. Playing for a sold-out crowd, athletes from across the country and a national TV audience was a huge thrill! The Royals also hosted a successful Marching Showband Classic, participated in several parades and field show performances and competed in the World Association of Marching Show Band Championships at the Calgary Stampede where we placed 5th and received a “gold” rating.
After a successful spring and summer, the Royals embarked on our 50th anniversary tour of Europe, sharing our music with countless spectators along the way. The first stop was in London and a performance in St. James’s Park next to Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, the Royal Family was not able to take in the show, but many of our own ‘Royals Family’ were there to cheer us on! Then it was back on the bus and northbound to Ilam Hall, a picturesque 17th century manor now used as a hostel. Along the way, the Royals stopped at Warner Bros. Studios to see ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ and strapped into the roller coaster at Alton Towers. The band’s second performance was in Manchester, before another well-received show in front of the Martin Luther King Building in Liverpool. From there, we hopped on the high-speed ferry from Wales to Dublin, Ireland. The Royals spent a short time seeing the sights of the capital before making our way to the University of Limerick, the site of the Celtic Band Festival where we would be competing throughout the weekend. And what a successful weekend it was! The Royals represented their city, province and country with class, earning several 1st place Gold awards, along with top awards for music, visuals, effect, and field music. Then we made our way to Galway, for one final performance at the Spanish Arch. After a farewell dinner in Dublin, it was off to the airport for our flight home.
As the 2018/19 season draws to a close, we can all agree it was a fantastic year for the Royals. We saw some amazing sights and made memories that will last a lifetime. And with several performances already scheduled for the coming months, we’re already looking forward to next year.