Royal Life Guards Music Band (Denmark)

The Royal Life Guards Music Band () is the foremost military band in the Danish Defence and the official regimental band of the Danish Royal Life Guards. The DKLM is based in Copenhagen and primarily participates in parades and ceremonies for the Danish monarch (currently Margrethe II of Denmark) and the Danish royal family. It also supports the government and the military, specifically increasing the "esprit de corps" in army units as well as in the public.
Modern era.
Today, the band performs throughout Denmark and abroad. The DKLM's area of responsibility accounts for the national capital, Copenhagen. When on parade, they wear the full dress uniform of the Life Guards (a scarlet tunic, blue trousers, and a bearskin cap). It is mainly seen accompanying the Guard Company when it executes the changing of the guard in front of Amalienborg, where the band plays traditional military marches. It takes part in the annual Tattoo of Den Kongelige Livgarde at Rosenborg Castle. The repertoire of the DKLM of today is very diverse and spans a lot of genres. The band almost exclusively plays Kong Christian stod ved højen mast, the Royal anthem, in the presence of the monarch or other Danish members of the House of Glücksburg. In addition, to its ceremonial role, musicians of the DKLM are trained infantryman who serve with the regiment.
Leadership.
Music Director.
The post of music director of the DKLM refers to the commanding officer of the band. The following have served as music directors of the band:
Drum Major.
The Drum Major ("Stabstambourer") is the "de facto" leader of the band when it is on parade and is responsible for keeping the marching band in cadence and on beat.
Unit Structure.
The band is composed of two main components, the marching band and the corps of drums.
Marching Band.
The marching band accompanies the Guard Company during official ceremonies. It performs in ceremonies in the Copenhagen metropolitan area, taking part in state funerals, change of commands, town parades, wreath laying ceremonies and arrival ceremonies.
Corps of Drums.
The Corps of Drums (Tambourkorps) is a percussion unit made up of 16 musicians of the DKLM. Half of the band performs on drums while the other half performs on flutes and fifes. In addition, most members of the corps of drums play on trumpets, which is used mostly in the Bb key for tattoos, reveille, and retreats. Since 2005, the corps of drums has not employed conscripts in its ranks, with service being reduced from 12 months to 8 months at present.
Other components.
The DKLM also maintains several small ensembles and groups, such as a brass quintet, a concert band, and a big band.