Musn Carter pictured during practice
As a Musician in the Royal Marines Band Service I play the flute and saxophone.
Before joining the Band Service I already played the flute and I am now learning
the saxophone as a completely new instrument.
At the moment I am studying for my grade 7 flute examination with the Associated
Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the pieces that I will be playing for the
examination are; Vivaldi's Concerto in D and Faure's Morceau de Concours. Before
the exams I will be playing the pieces at a recital on Monday October 1st at
the Royal Marines School of Music in front of the Staff and Members of the School
of Music. These recitals are designed to give us experience of performing in
public whilst building our confidence as well as being a required part of our
degree accreditation. Performing in front of our peers adds to the pressure,
as other musicians can be a very critical audience.
We have recently got a new flute professor, Ms Karen Evans, and she teaches
me once a week helping me with the pieces I am playing, studies and exercises.
She also sets me tasks involving the finer points of flute playing.
My flute instructor, Band Sergeant Miller, helps me on a daily basis in all
aspects of flute playing. As uniformed instructors he and Band Corporal Bean,
my saxophone instructor, also help me with the skills of performing music in
a military environment including parade band, concert band and general repertoire.
On saxophone I am currently studying for my 'T3s (Term 3 Elementary Examinations)
at the end of this term. For this I am playing Solo de Concert by Singelèe.
My saxophone Professor, Mr Jimmy Hastings, takes me for one lesson a week. During
these lessons we go through basics on the instrument, studies, pieces and scales.
I find him to be a brilliant professor because of his expertise in all fields
of music, especially in Jazz.
During this week I have been practising for my forthcoming recital, and participated
in both Quintets and Orchestras. My playing seems to be improving greatly at
the moment due to my hard work and the guidance and encouragement from everyone
at the School of Music.
Musn Carter
Musn Carter pictured during practice