The Lord Mayor’s Cadet Music Competition 2025 took place yesterday, Sunday, 6th October, bringing cadet bands from the Greater London area and providing them with an opportunity to showcase their musical prowess at the Guildhall Yard, City of London.
What is the Cadet Music Competition?
This competition was initiated by the Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley during his tenure as Lord Mayor (2016 – 2017), he is also the Chair of the judging panel. Initially a single competition with one trophy, this has now been expanded into two separate categories: a Full Band and a Corps of Drums.
The prizes are for:
a. Best Band – provided by the Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley.
b. Best Corps of Drums – provided by the RFCA for Greater London.
c. Best Overall Bugler – provided by Lady Parmley.
d. Best Drum Major – provided by Mr Stephen Lane, YOU London.
Who participated?
Four exceptional teams gave it their all, and the energy was electric:
• London Area Band of the Sea Cadet Corps
• Greater London South West Sector ACF Corps of Drums
• London and South East Regional Royal Air Force Air Cadets Band
• St Dunstan’s College CCF Corps of Drums
London Area Band of the Sea Cadet Corps
Led by Able Cadet Pettipas as Drum Major and Lieutenant Commander Turner RNR (SCC) as the volunteer in charge, the band played:
- HM Jollies as March on Music
- Top Gun Anthem and Thunderbirds as Static Music
- On the Quarterdeck as March off Music
Bugle solo was by PPO Dulus.
Greater London South West Sector Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums
Led by CUO Rogers as Drum Major and Lieutenant Bryant (ACF) as the volunteer in charge, the band played:
- Flow Gently as March on Music
- World in Union, Killaloe and Galanthia as Static Music
- British Grenadiers as March off Music
London and South East Region Royal Air Force Air Cadets Band
Led by Squadron Leader Harris (RAFAC) as the volunteer in charge, the band played:
- Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines as March on Music
- Sweet Caroline, Longest Day and Thriller as Static Music
- The Great Escape as March off Music
St Dunstan’s College Combined Cadet Force Corps of Drums
Led by Drum Major Francis as Drum Major and Lieutenant Colonel Richard Davies (CCF) as the volunteer in charge, the band played:
- Men of Harlec as March on Music
- Sea Shanties, Manchester and Teddy Bear’s Picnic as Static Music
- Heart of Oak as March off Music
Who won?
A huge thank you to the City of London and Guildhall for hosting us.
We extend our thank you to the planning committee: Colonel Ian Denison OBE, Colonel Colin Jones (ACF), Lieutenant Commander Ian Turner RNR (SCC) and Flying Officer Omre Urmani RAFAC and Squadron Leader Robin Harris (RAFAC) and Mr Oscar Dixon.
