Monday
This morning we began the week on the RMSM Parade Square as 24 of us were used
in a Training Band for the Training Drum Majors. They each had a chance to instruct
us in a quick-slow-quick marching routine whilst being carefully watched by
the Corps Drum Major. For us this meant marching up and down to 15 different
marches with very cold fingers! After that it was back in the warm for normal
daily instruction. After lunch we had recitals. Today's performers were Musn
West who played an excellent rendition of Phillip Sparke's Fantasy for Euphonium
and Musn Ginn who did his first ever saxophone recital, after playing it for
just a few months. The rest of the day was spent practising in preparation for
profs lessons later in the week.
Tuesday
Today began with rounds of the accommodation. At 0930 I had a violin lesson
with Mrs Cresci where we worked on position changing studies and the Vivaldi
Violin concert in A Minor which I will be playing in a recital in a few weeks
time. I then had an instructors clarinet lesson where we did jazz duets to work
on my rhythm. In the evening we had orchestra where we played Gypsy Blood and
English Folk Song Suite which we are working on for a concert in February.
Wednesday
This morning we had a musical rehearsal for Parade Band in the Concert Hall
where we played the marches Army and Marine and Globe and Laurel. The morning
was taken up with private practice. I spent time practising Grovlez's Concertino
for Clarinet which I am hoping to play for my final M3 exam next term, and preparing
for my clarinet professor lesson on Thursday. Congratulations to all runners
who took part in the Cross Country at Lympstone today. When they finally got
back through the snow we all went out to celebrate Musn Dawkins who had not
only been running Cross Country all day but had also spent the two days previous
at Navy Hockey trials in Birmingham, and will now be playing for the Navy team.
Thursday
This morning was sponsored prayers for most of us Training Company and PT for
the term 7's and above. We played volleyball in the gym which was a fun start
to the day. In the morning I had a clarinet professor lesson when we chose my
final exam pieces. In the afternoon we had an elements lesson where we worked
on ornaments and transposition in preparation for our M3 final exam this term.
In the evening we had Concert Band where we played Seafarers and The Hounds
of Spring, two pieces we will be performing in a forthcoming concert.
Friday
The morning began with a musical rehearsal in the Concert Hall for Parade Band
'A', and on the Parade Square for Band 'B'. There are currently so many people
in Training Company that we have two Parade Bands and alternate going outside
in the cold! In the afternoon we had a Concert Band rehearsal followed by strings
with Sgt Boland where we began working on pieces that we can play in the Strings
Masterclass next term.