Monday
Monday morning had arrived again and at 7.30am we were all in the gym for the
weekly phys session. This week though it was slightly different as teams had
to be sorted out for a sports afternoon at HMS Dryad on the first Tuesday back
after leave. Once these teams were sorted we took part in a circuit and then
went to work.
We only worked up until lunchtime as the majority of Training Company plus a
few instructors had a Parade Band gig over at HMS Collingwood Monday evening.
Once we got to Collingwood we walked through the routine as it was on grass,
which is slightly different to the RMSM parade square. We then had our evening
meal and at around 7.30pm performed our display.
Tuesday
Rounds were cancelled this morning due to the gig last night. Most of the people
in my term spent the day choosing and practising pieces and scales for their
M3 exams which begin shortly after we return from leave. Tuesday evening was
a small orchestra rehearsal for a gig after leave. Only the people involved
had to go, so the rest of us were lucky and had the night off.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning began with Parade Band and some new and challenging marches.
We looked at two marches, which are likely to be performed in the Beat Retreat
on Open Day. The rest of the morning was spent practising for exams. RT in the
afternoon was cancelled due to accommodation changes. Some people were moving
off board, some back on and we had to leave spare rooms for those people joining
the Band Service for Basic Training after leave.
Thursday
Thursday morning had arrived and so had the second phys session of the week.
After phys we went to work and again most of my troop were doing as much practice
as they could before leave. As the afternoon wore on most people's thoughts
had turned to leave and what they were going to do, although for a lot of my
troop I think it involved more practice. We had a Concert Band rehearsal Thursday
evening in which we looked at a new piece of music based on Barbara Streisand
songs. On completion of that we all piled into the bar for an Easter Social
organised by people who had just participated in the Section Commanders Course.
The evening began with an Easter egg hunt in the School gardens and I think
most people found at least one egg. Also during the evening the students and
instructors of the School had the opportunity to show off their singing talent
with kareoke.
Friday
We came into work this morning in civilian clothing to tidy up the School before
leave. We then all met in the Concert Hall to be given our leave passes by Drum
Major, although Musn Burton nearly didn't get his as he didn't quite have all
the information Drum Major wanted about the cap badge worn by Lympstone Band.
He couldn't believe it when he saw his leave pass being torn into little pieces
right in front of him. Luckily for him it was just a spare! Once the leave passes
had been given out we were free to go and enjoy a relaxing two weeks leave.