Beating Retreat

Back after a Covid-induced hiatus of three years, the annual Beating Retreat ceremony gives the Royal Choral Society an opportunity to join with the troops of the Household Division for three nights of military precision!

Performed on Horse Guards Parade with the backdrop of St James’s Park behind the choir, the concert is performed to packed stands as the sun sets and military bands play. Based on the signals to close the camp gates at the end of the day and call troops back to base for the night, these days a ‘Beating Retreat’ is an evening military concert with a marching display and usually marks the lowering of the Regimental flag at sunset. And then there are fireworks!

There will be three performances: Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July.