The beginning of this week brought mixed feelings amongst those within Training Company: excitement, anticipation and relief. This term was a long term and most of us were looking forward to the relaxing 3 weeks leave we would have. But first, we had the most important event in the Royal Marines School of Music calendar, our Open Day.
After a hard weekend and a very tiring gig on the Isle of Wight on Saturday
night we all set off for PT on Monday morning with much reluctance. Smiles broke
out across everyone's faces when Sgt Griffin, the PTI announced that PT had
been cancelled. A swift about turn and quick march back to the accommodation
was followed by Parade Band. The preparations for Open Day were fully under
way. Concert Band quickly followed Parade Band with little time to draw breath.
Today saw 'Jupiter' and its first rehearsal. Even then it promised to be performed
well. Concert Band rehearsals dominated the rest of the long, hot and sticky
day. WO1 Smallwood, the Bandmaster, must have been pleased with our progress
because at 3pm we were given the rest of the afternoon off. I say we, well I
mean all of Training Company, except those of us who are studying for our degrees,
we had a history lesson until 1630. Again good news on Monday saw rounds being
cancelled. No more scrubbing and cleaning for us!
Tuesday began like Monday with an early Parade Band rehearsal, this time at
the Guildhall Square. The crowds gathered to watch the rehearsal, which still
needed some fine tuning before Thursday's Beating Retreat. The rest of the morning
was filled with Concert Band rehearsals as the sounds of 'Riverdance' burst
out of the concert hall. After lunch a photograph was taken of all the ranks
at RMSM, students and instructors alike. This gives the newly qualified trained
ranks something to remember their time at the school by. An extremely hot hour
was spent in the mid-day sun before the last photograph was taken, just in time
to see my toe caps melt. A quick breather and on with the rehearsals, this time,
orchestra. We all welcomed the end of another long hot day and were glad to
hear that we had no evening rehearsal.
Wednesday morning again saw an early Parade Band before we launched into yet
more Concert Band rig ups. Lunch was swiftly followed by an afternoon of choir
rehearsals, we finished the day with 'Les Miserables' coming out of our ears.
A very early start on Thursday brought the beginning of a very busy day. Rehearsals
at the Guildhall in the morning ran behind schedule, which left very little
time for lunch before the concert began. As those of you who came to see us
know, the Open Day went extremely well. An excellent Concert Band performance,
a stupendous Orchestral appearance and a wondrous choral outburst was followed
by an outstanding Beating Retreat. Everyone was delighted with the day's performance
and felt proud of what they had achieved. We now look forward to our leave and
then the beginning of another year, my second year at the school, and boy the
first year has gone fast. Good luck to the newly qualified trained ranks who
will be joining their bands in September, and to the new entries who join the
Royal Marines Band Service on September 3rd.
Musn Richardson