Beating of the Retreat

The Beating of the Retreat Ceremonies take place once a month in June, July and August at 2100 hrs in Hamilton, coinciding with Harbour Nights organized by the Chamber of Commerce.
Funded by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums and Bermuda Islands Pipe Band Perform a Beating of the Retreat Ceremony.  On occasion visiting band will also participate.
The Beating of the Retreat Ceremony, in its earliest form, was simply a drummers’ call.  The Drum Major and his men would march around the camp or city streets playing drum taps to warn soldiers that it was time to return to their billets, put out their fires and go to bed.  This performance was known as the retreat and many regretted that they did not heed the drummers’ call. Eventually, a pipe time was added to the drummers’ calls and a more elaborate ceremony emerged.  Later on, bugle calls were added and the parade evolved into the present day Beating of the Retreat Ceremony. 

The massed bands march on, perform separately and then re-mass for the evening hymn and the playing of Sunset, at which the flags are lowered signaling the end of the day.  The bands then march past the guest of honour - His Excellency the Governor, the Honourable Premier, Worshipful Mayors, et al.

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