The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

LORD MAYOR’S CADET MUSIC COMPETITION 2025

A chilly October Sunday morning saw Upper Warden Caroline Turnbull-Hall and Liveryman Adam Taylor sitting in Guildhall Yard for the Lord Mayor’s Cadet Music Competition.

The Competition was started by Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley during his Mayoralty, and is in its seventh year. It is an opportunity for uniformed youth organisations to demonstrate their musical and wider skills. This year there were four bands competing – the London Area Band of the Sea Cadets, the Greater London South West Sector Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums, the London and South East Region Royal Air Force Air Cadets Band, and St Dunstan’s College Combined Cadet Force Corps of Drums.

The standards of both musical ability and drill were exceptionally high, and the bands’ repertoire extended from military standards such as Men of Harlech to Sweet Caroline and the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. There were also bugle solos and, which must have made the judges’ job a little easier, each of the buglers played Sunset.

Following a reception in Guildhall the Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums was awarded the prize for the best Drum Major and the best Corps of Drums, St Dunstan’s College the best overall bugler, and the RAF Air Cadets Band the best band overall.

It was an inspiring event that paid tribute to the hours of effort put in by the cadets to perfect not only their musical performances, but also their drill, as well as the support of those adult volunteers who give their time freely to support the cadets.