Musn Boardman
Monday
After sleeping all weekend, recovering from Adventure Training, it was back to the usual way to start a Monday morning… PT! It wasn't going to be bad, we all thought, as we were going swimming. This was not the case! Sadly, for us, there were already people in the pool so we had to go into a very warm gym for an hour (which was not nice). After sweating our socks off for an hour it was back to the School of Music practising all day. Time to get acquainted with our instruments once again; which end of the trumpet do you blow? We also had a nice treat, choir at lunchtime (well it saves doing our kit again). To top the day off we had an evening rehearsal for tomorrow's concert band gig. "Welcome back to RMSM everyone!"
Musn Boardman
Tuesday
We started Tuesday off with the normal routine of rounds. Most of Training Company was away on a gig so the rest of us had to do their rounds for them! Don't worry, we will get them back in our own way! My day was a day spent in Professorial lessons with Mr Douglas, on piano and Mr Yates, on cornet. Both lessons went quite well. After supper we had evening rehearsals, as usual, and then onto the School bar for a 'few' drinks to wind down.
Evening Rehearsals
Wednesday
Today started off with Parade Band. We marched on the grass, instead of concrete,
for the first time today for many of the band. It is a new sensation, that we
will have to get comfortable with, because the surface is uneven and the sound
is quite different
For 12 of us most of the day was spent at HMS Collingwood as we took part in the Portsmouth Command Swimming Gala. At 1130 the squad got on a minibus and travelled from HMS Nelson to HMS Collingwood. We got there, and looked at the event sheet, we split the races evenly between 6 girls and 6 lads (honestly!). What a successful day it was. Numerous medals were won by individuals in the squad with the girls team coming first and the lads second after all the races had been done and an average was taken. Overall we dominated the event and got an overall first place for HMS Nelson. A good time was had by all 12 of us and the day finished on a high.
Thursday
Here we are again… it's 0730 and we are doing PT again! A run by the sea today and the weather is gorgeous. The high-light of the day was playing in big band which is taken by Don Lusher. An hour in the afternoon was taken up by having another piano lesson with my professor Mr Douglas. Today's lesson was Jazz. I enjoy learning jazz on the piano because I find it quite challenging as I have never done it before joining the Band Service. Thursday nights can only mean one thing! Another night of evening rehearsal or private practice for the people not in concert Band. One more day left until the weekend!
Stand easy and time for a coffee
Friday
Today we're to have a Parade Band gig at a place called Seaford College, which is a very, very nice school. It was a passing out parade for cadets of all services. It was a warm day which was nice until we got our full No 1's on then it wasn't so nice. All went well and it turned out to be another successful gig for the School of Music Band.
Saturday
Work on a Saturday morning! Today was Divisions for the Royal Naval Reserves
at HMS Excellent. It wasn't such a warm day as yesterday but there was no rain,
which is always a good thing. Another successful gig under our belts and the
rest of the weekend to relax!