Omani Royal Guard Military Band

The Omani Royal Guard Military Band (Arabic: الفرقة العسكرية العمانية للحرس الملكي) is the official music band of the Royal Guard of Oman and the seniormost military band of the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces. It is specifically dedicated to providing ceremonial honours and music to the Sultan of Oman, the House of Al Said, and public officials.

Omani Royal Guard Military Band
فرقة الحرس السلطاني العماني
The combined band at their rehearsal square in April 2018.
Active1981 - Present
Country Oman
Allegiance Qaboos bin Said al Said
BranchSultan of Oman's Armed Forces
TypeMilitary band
Sizebattalion sized
Part ofRoyal Guard of Oman
Garrison/HQMuscat
Anniversaries1 November
Commanders
Head of the Military Music Service of OmanBrigadier General Ramis Juma’an al Oweira

Activities

The following protocols events are the basis for the activities of the Band of the Royal Guard of Oman:

  • Being present at military parades and national events
  • Honoring foreign heads of state during state visits to Muscat
  • Support the ceremonial activities of the RGO and the Sultan
  • Performing exhibition drill

The band frequently performs at home and abroad.[1] Domestically, the band annually performs at a military tattoo in the Royal Opera House Muscat. As per the band's international presence, members of the band have performed in Egypt, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, and Russia. The mounted band has at one point, performed for Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in London. The Steel Band also has had an opportunity to participate in the Steel Band Festival in Australia, while the Pipes and Drums have competed in three international pipes and drums competitions in Scotland.[2][3] In June 2019, it had the honor to perform on Horse Guards Parade for the British Army's Beating Retreat.

Organization
A male and female member of the RGO Band

Headquarters Administration Company

The Headquarters Administration Company is the main support band, which provides logistical, instructional, and administrative assistance to the band.

Central Infantry Band

The Infantry Band is the premier unit in the RGO Band. The band performs as a concert band, as well as a marching band. The band is divided into two sections which make up the band's composition.

Royal Cavalry Mounted Band

The Royal Cavalry Mounted Band is the world's only camel mounted pipe band.  The horses that are employed are mainly a mix of Arabs, Clydesdales and Shires. The mounted band, which is composed of at least 100 horses and riders, is based at the Al Safinat stables in the Royal Palace. Since 2001, it has seen a significant number of women in its ranks, with women accounting for 25% of the riders in the band as of 2018. When on parade, the pipers lead while a large carriage pulled by six horses carrying kettle drummers follows behind. As a result of the pipes leaving gaps in the pipers teeth, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said in 2008, requested that a company design some specialized pipe tubes for the band.[4][5][6]

School of Music

The RGO School of Music is responsible for training musicians of the RGO in all aspects, including marching and the performance of marching music.

Ceremonial Music
TitleEvent
Junōd al jowPlayed at military parades
Salute to the General of the Air ForceCeremonial honors
Ya Bilād al izz nusōr al jowPlayed at military parades
Sunset[7]Played at ceremonial retreats

See also

References
  1. Ejaz, Khadija (2011). We Visit Oman. ISBN 9781612281049.
  2. "The Military Band of the Royal Guards of Oman — [EN] Spasskaya bashnya".
  3. "The Middle East". 2006.
  4. "The Sultan Of Oman's Camel Mounted Pipe Band". Sick Chirpse. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  5. "The Queen's desert cavalry jets to Windsor: 900 horses, a 10-man horseback pyramid and a mounted orchestra". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  6. "Oman's all-female Royal Cavalry marching band takes part in Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | Trending News, The Indian Express". indianexpress.com. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  7. "الغروب في الجبل". YouTube.
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