Special VIP invitation to Beating Retreat / 1812 Overture at Duntroon (Royal Military College) – Thursday 2nd October
Defence Force Recruiting would like to extend a special invitation for you to attend Beating Retreat and performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. They have arranged special VIP seating for us and all attendees will receive a show bag!
Details
| Date |
5.30pm, Thursday 2nd October (performance will begin at 6.00pm but please arrive early) |
| Where |
Parade Ground, Duntroon Royal Military College |
| Cost |
A donation will be sought on entry. Funds will be distributed to local charities and organisations that serve Defence and the College.
A sausage sizzle and drinks will be available for purchase.
|
So, what is Beating Retreat?
Beating Retreat is a traditional ceremony incorporating a number of military customs. The modern ceremony has its origins in the 16th century, when it was known as “watch setting”. The first of these ceremonies took place at sunset in the field, garrisons, and castles. A single round, known as the evening gun, was fired and a drummer would “beat retreat” to alert skirmishers and outlying troops of the day's end. The ceremony was formalised with drummers gathering on the ramparts to march back and forth, with drums beating, to signal the commencement of the evening “watch” or guard. Field workers and soldiers would know the gates were about to close for the night and it was time to return to safety within the walls.
The modern interpretation of the ceremony, in which the evening gun is fired and drummers march, re-creates the old ritual. The stylised ceremony evolved to include fifes, pipes, and bugles. It preceded a regiment’s daily trooping of the colours and soldiers were not permitted to retire to quarters before the ceremony was completed. In earlier days, fighting would nominally cease at sunset and, following the beating of retreat and trooping of colours, the watch would fire three musket volleys “to put flight to the evil spirits of the enemy dead”. A hymn would then be sung to honour members of the regiment who had fallen in battle during the day.
In the modern ceremony the guards likewise advance in slow time and fire three volleys. After the evening hymn, a band plays a harmonised version of the “Retreat” call, during which the national flag is lowered. The flag lowering replaces the daily ceremony of trooping the colour.
There will also be a number of performances by instrumental soloists and the RMC Band will perform a spectacular rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with sound and light effects.
Please RSVP to Debbie Yates no later than COB Monday 22nd September to confirm your attendance – yatesd@iinet.net.au or 0412 685 720. |
