Monday
The week began with PT which today was a run to Southsea and back. The working
day then started at 0900 with most people doing individual practice. I had a
violin lesson at 0930 with Mrs Cresci, one of the violin professors at the School,
during which we spent time on scales and a violin duet with Musn Dawkins which
we will be performing in a recital at the end of term. The rest of the day was
taken up with private practice.
Tuesday
This morning we had Rounds which were checked by Sgt Boland and the Drum Major.
After that it was straight into work for some more practising. I had a clarinet
lesson with my instructor, Cpl Davis followed by string quartets at lunch time
which was taken by Mrs Cresci. In the afternoon myself and Musn Dawkins had
a lesson with Sgt Boland and spent time working on our violin duet. In the evening
we had a concert band rehearsal preparing for the schools visits on Thursday
and Friday.
Wednesday
The day started with Parade Band at 0800 followed by a normal working morning
up until lunchtime. In the afternoon we had RT which today was swimming. We
went to HMS Temeraire where we took part in some very funny team games and races,
after which we had the chance to jump off the diving board which many of us
haven't done since Basic Training.
Thursday
This morning was PT again which was a run to Southsea with a circuit halfway
through. Today was the first of two schools visits this week. We have been having
local schools coming to us for a day so that they get the chance to play in
a larger band than they would normally do. They brought some of their music
with them and we played some of ours so we all got the opportunity to play some
different music that we had not seen before. The morning was spent as sectional
rehearsals, brass being taken by the Bandmaster and Woodwind by Sgt Ridley.
We had voluntary choir at lunchtime followed by full Concert Band with all the
school children in the afternoon.
Friday
This morning we had a musical rehearsal for Parade Band in the Concert Hall
with the Bandmaster. This was followed by aural with Sgt Ridley before all the
school children arrived for the second day of visits. Again we had sectional
rehearsals in the morning, this time Mr Holman was conducting the woodwind.
We had full choir at lunchtime and full Concert Band in the afternoon, which
all the children seemed to enjoy.
After a week's hard work we were allowed to finish early for the weekend.