Monday
The week began with PT at 0730. Musn Vicky Davies of the Portsmouth Band is
hoping to pass her exam to become an aerobics instructor this Saturday and she
needed some 'volunteers' to practice her routine on, so this meant it was aerobics
in the gym for the girls but unfortunately for the lads a run to Southsea with
the new PTI Sgt Beatty. The rest of the day was taken up with private practice.
I had my first violin lesson of the new term with Mrs Cresci which went surprisingly
well after the summer break and I am now hoping to work towards my grade 6 exam.
Tuesday
This morning we had rounds which would be checked later in the day by the NCOs.
Hopefully we would pass them first time and not have to do them again tomorrow.
In the morning I had a clarinet lesson with my instructor, Cpl Davis. We worked
on the Crusell Clarinet Concerto which I will be performing in a recital later
this term and then we did some blues duets. This evening we had orchestra with
Major Best where we worked on a Schubert Symphony and the King Stephen Overture
by Beethoven.
Wednesday
This morning we had an inspection by Drum Major with all our whites and brass,
this included our belt, cross strap and pouch and pith helmet. Unfortunately
it wasn't up to standard and we have it again on Friday morning. The morning
was taken up with private practice except for the people who attend the jazz
group and then RT in the afternoon.
Thursday
This morning we had aerobics again while the lads went for a run. I had my second
violin lesson of the week and also string quartets where myself, Musn Dawkins,
Fothergill and Walton all worked on the piece 'Nimrod' which we will hopefully
be performing in a recital at some point this term. After lunch I had elements
where we worked on transposition working towards our final M3 exam. That was
followed by a clarinet lesson with Mr Kennard. This evening we did not have
any evening rehearsal so we could spend the time getting our kit ready for the
inspection tomorrow morning.
Friday
This morning the inspection was of a higher standard than Wednesday and only
some individuals had to re-do their kit for Monday morning. After a musical
rehearsal in the concert hall we all had the opportunity to sit an M2 Aural
exam with Musns O'Brien and Wolfenden who had returned to the School this week
to take their M2 exams as they have now been in a trained band for a year. In
the afternoon I had clarinet quartets followed by strings with Sgt Boland where
we worked on a piece for a recital in a couple of weeks time.