The Royal Corps of Army Music Trust

The Royal Corps of Army Music Trust is a registered charity established in 1999 to support the serving and former members of the Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM). The Trust’s main purposes include the promotion and welfare of Army musicians, fostering esprit de corps, and maintaining connections between past and present members through the Army Musicians Association[1][3].

Functions and Activities

The Trust operates primarily in three key areas:

• Welfare Support: Providing grants to assist members and their dependents with various needs, including support for sporting activities and elite sports personnel associated with the Corps. This includes funding for travel, membership, and competition fees.

• Musical Development: Offering financial support such as loans to individuals for purchasing musical instruments or furthering their music education.

• Regimental Items Funding: Supplying funds for regimental articles not covered by the Ministry of Defence, such as stable belts, tactical recognition flashes, and regimental ties. This helps preserve and promote the ethos and identity of the Corps[1].

The Trust thus plays a critical role in sustaining the morale, heritage, and professional development of Army musicians, bridging the gap between serving and retired members while supporting the broader community associated with the Royal Corps of Army Music.

Background: The Royal Corps of Army Music

The Royal Corps of Army Music itself was formed in 1994 as part of a restructuring of military musical units following the end of the Cold War. Before its formation, each regiment and corps had its own band, but reductions led to consolidations under the new Corps. The Royal Corps of Army Music now supervises the remaining regular Army bands, serving ceremonial and operational roles, and the Trust supports this community of musicians comprehensively[2][5].

The Corps, known as the newest and most junior British Army corps, is headquartered at Kneller Hall, Twickenham—the historic home of the Royal Military School of Music—and plays a vital role in supporting Army, Defence, and national interests through music[3][5].

Charity Status

• Charity Number: 1073432
• Established: 1999

Leadership

The Colonel Commandant of the Royal Corps of Army Music is Lieutenant General David Eastman MBE BEng(Hons) MSc CEng FIMechE, underscoring the high-level support and recognition the Trust and Corps receive within the British Army[3].

Summary

The Royal Corps of Army Music Trust is a dedicated charity that provides essential welfare, financial, and heritage support to the Royal Corps of Army Music community. By fostering connections and providing resources for personal and professional development, the Trust ensures that the musical and cultural traditions of the Corps continue to flourish within the British Army.

[1] https://www.rcamtrust.co.uk/what-we-do/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Corps_of_Army_Music [3] https://www.rcamtrust.co.uk [4] https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-corps-of-army-music/ [5] https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/royal-corps-army-music