Band of the Grenadier Guards The Band of the Grenadier Guards is the oldest of all of the bands in the British Army , with a history dating back over years . History . In 1685 Charles II allowed the band to maintain 12 " hautbois " ( oboe ) players . His death in 1685 was so significant for the band that until the Second World War , the Bass Drummer ( known officially as The Regimental Timebeater ) , wore a black armband in mourning of the king ' s death . The size of the ensemble has changed over time , starting off with between twelve and nineteen players , in the 18th century to a peak in numbers by the end of the 1970s of seventy musicians . Today there are 42 band members . In 1872 , the Band of the Grenadier Guards were the first British uniformed soldiers to enter the United States of America since the War of 1812 . In the modern era , it last toured the US in 2003 , when it gave performances over a period of three months , at over sixty venues , visiting forty states . The Band often tours overseas and has visited Belgium , Denmark , Italy , the Netherlands , Switzerland , Germany , Bosnia , and Australia . The Band was given the freedom of the City of Lincoln on 8 May 2008 . King Charles II restored not only the Monarchy to England but patronage of the arts , not least by laying the foundations of the Band of the Grenadier Guards when he commissioned players to the First Regiment of Foot Guards in 1685 . The Regiment was to become known as the Grenadier Guards after their victory on the battlefield at Waterloo . The Band of the Grenadier Guards has been filling the streets of London with music and colour for over three centuries , a truly historic sound and sight . It is symbolic and emblematic of London and the UK ' s history . The Band has served 15 monarchs over 325 years with dedication and pride . It has been present at all the major royal occasions : births , coronations , weddings and funerals . The Band has been a witness to all London ' s key historic events , both tragic and joyful . It raised morale during the darkest hours of the Second World War ; its uplifting music ushered in a new beginning at the coronation of the present queen . The " British Grenadiers " March is one of the most recognizable and memorable tunes in the world , part of Britain ' s musical heritage . One of the band ' s admirers during the 18th century was George Frideric Handel . He demonstrated this by presenting the march from " Scipio " to the regiment before he included it in his opera of that name when it was first performed in 1726 . George II gave Handel the task of scoring the " Music for the Royal Fireworks " , most commonly performed with strings , for the king ' s own musicians , who were wind players from his foot guards . Handel would have undoubtedly come into contact with musicians from the Grenadier Guards during the first performance at Vauxhall Gardens in 1749 . Throughout Britain ' s history the music of the Grenadier Guards has been the backdrop to its national life and identity . It represents Britain ' s constancy , dignity and artistry . Band membership duties . Musicians currently in the band have secondary roles in the British Army as chemical decontamination assistants , medics and drivers . The band is based at Wellington Barracks in St James ' s , London . Ensembles . There are several ensembles within the Band of the Grenadier Guards : Other ensembles include : Events . The Band of the Grenadier Guards plays regularly for many events . Some of these occasions that are most famous are listed below , although this is not a comprehensive list . The band also performs at other non - military events such as Henley Regatta , Royal Ascot , the FA Cup Final and international rugby matches and opened the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester . The Band of the Grenadier Guards also visits schools to take part in musical concerts and workshops .