Musician Dolby 13 - 28 July 2001

Two weeks to go, that is until Summer Leave and the Open Day Concert.

Monday started with the usual PT session. The rest of the day was full of nerves for the TS students and some of my term, due to exams. Recitals took place after lunch and then it was time for an afternoon's practice. Rounds, cleaning showers and ironing bed sheets, took up the evening.

Tuesday morning was pretty normal. Practice and more exams. Lunchtime was slightly different. The 40 strong Parade Band held a small advertising Beat Retreat for Open Day in the Guildhall Square. In the evening, there was Concert Band rehearsal and from all those students not in the band, the sounds of Jupiter could be heard, students trying to get parts perfect for Open Day.

Wednesday, we had a gig in Aldershot. We thinned out at stand easy and at 14.30, we climbed on to the bus for what should have been a one-hour journey. Two hours later, the bus driver finally found his way and we arrived. After a reasonably good concert, we loaded up and went to find the bus, which did not appear till midnight, when the driver found the whole of RMSM in the bar!

Thursday, 08.50 and fall in for a tired Training Coy. Just an average day, no PT and a late start. What more could we ask for! Evening rehearsal was a big Concert Band for Open Day. It was the first time we had played Jupiter (from the Planets) as a band, Mr Smallwood was happy by the end. Happy Birthday Musn Danny Button. Hope you had a good one.

Friday, Parade Band took place this morning and then it was to our rooms for a day's hard practice. My term, much to their joy, had a harmony exam in the afternoon and then more practice.

On Saturday, we went to the Isle of Wight where we played a Charity Concert in All Saints Church in Ryde. We arrived back at the school at 23.30 and we unloaded and went to bed! I think I speak for the whole of Training Coy when I say we are looking forward to Open Day and Summer Leave. Roll on Open Day.

RMSM Band Beating Retreat at the Official Cocktail Party.

The band for the Cocktail Party march on led by Drum Major Stuart Mason	The band march in slow time playing Aranjuez
Band Colour Sergeant Tom Hodge watches as the band troop past during the slow march	The second quick march and the band prepare to countermarch into the drum display
The Corps of Drums begin their display with a bugle fanfare	The guests look on as the Corps of Drums perform their drum statics
The band split into two sections as the Corps of Drums beat retreat between the two halves	After the drum display the Corps of Drums step off to reform the band
The band countermarch ready to move into the finale position	The band halt in and arrowhead formation for the finale
The view that the Drum Major has during the finale	Band Colour Sergeant Tom Hodge conducts the finale
Lt Col Waterer watches the finale with Flag Officer Training & Recruiting Rear Admiral P Davies CBE	The guests look on as the finale draws to an end
Drum Major Stuart Mason salutes during Sunset	The band march past at the end of their display

Musn Dolby