The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is delighted to be supporting a rare opportunity to hear the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines perform in the Island.

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood will perform a summer concert at Castle Rushen High School on July 2nd, and there will also be a fantastic opportunity for students from Castle Rushen High School and King William’s College to learn from the world-class musicians during a workshop on the following day.

The Steam Packet Company is assisting organisers, the Friends of Manx National Heritage and Arbory Church, with bringing the band to the Island.

A spokesman for the organisers said: ‘The Royal Marines Band has a musical reputation second-to-none, and to secure them for our entertainment is something of a coup.

‘We have received much generous support with this visit, from the band itself and many local companies, and I would like to thank the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for its invaluable assistance in making this visit happen.’

Commenting on the workshops, the spokesman added: ‘Our pupils will be given the unique opportunity to observe these skilled musicians at close quarters, then play alongside them. We hope they and others will also take the opportunity to chat with the musicians about their careers in the Royal Navy as a member of the Royal Marines Band.

Major Pete Curtis, Music Director for The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood, said: ‘It’s a real pleasure for the band to be visiting the Isle of Man just before Tynwald Day and the Island’s National Week, particularly as it celebrates Island of Culture 2014.

‘We are keen to maintain the strong links the Royal Navy enjoys with the Isle of Man and such engagement with young people, in addition to the concert, is an excellent way to achieve this.’

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘The concert will be a wonderful chance to hear this fabulous band, and the workshop will be a unique opportunity for youngsters to learn from the best.

‘We are really pleased to be able to assist the organisers in meeting the costs of putting on both the concert and workshop, and trust both will prove a real success.’

Tickets for the concert, available from Thompson Travel in Port Erin, Celtic Gold in Peel and Noa Bakehouse in Douglas, cost ?12, which includes light refreshments and an opportunity to meet members of the band. Funds raised by the event will be shared between Friends of Manx National Heritage, Arbory Church and the local Sea Cadet unit at TS Manxman.