Monday
Our first detail for this morning was to meet outside Queen Street gate at 0730
to be taken on a run around Portsmouth. We ran to Old Portsmouth, where we ran
up lots of steps in various ways and did some sprints before heading back to
base. Once in work, I began my daily warm-up routine on the trumpet. This usually
involves buzzing on the mouthpiece for approx 10 minutes, followed by a series
of lip flexibility exercises. After this I worked on my pieces for my final
exam in June. I worked specifically on the triple tonguing in 'Fantasie Brilliante'.
At 1300 hours, Training Company were sat in the concert hall, awaiting weekly
recitals. Today provided a varied programme of music and standards. Today, Musicians
Butchers, Carnegie, Jones, Boardman and Strange played for us. After recitals,
I practised my violin. I worked on scales and am still deciding on pieces for
my final exam. After stand-easy in the afternoon I had a history lesson with
Professor Douglas. I have nearly completed my first year of the degree and at
present we are studying such composers as, Stravinsky, Bartok and Schoenberg.
After evening scran, everyone was busy changing their beds and tidying up for
rounds tomorrow. After this, I made my way to the gym and then headed to bed.
Tuesday
After we had made the accommodation immaculate, we were at work for 0830, ready
to begin another day. I had brass group until stand-easy this morning, comprising
of Musns Burton, Self, Gray and West. Today BdCpl H Williams conducted us, which
gave him a chance to practise conducting and which helped us to play together
as a group.
Today was also the second day of the Section Commander's Course. The course
is run over four days and tests certain individuals' skills in practical leadership
tasks. During the course they have to take a drill session, run a PT circuit,
sit various exams, give a talk on a subject of their choice and sit an interview.
They must also organise a social for Training Company, which they have decided
will take place on Thursday, following a theme of, A Night at the RMSM Oscars!'
Could be an interesting night... Also on Thursday they find out the results
of how they have done and then four or five of them will be selected in September
to take charge of each house and have added responsibilities. The following
people have taken part in the course: Musn Lindsay, Griffin, Down, McKechnie,
Lloyd, Burberry, Morgan, Rogers and Bugler Cansfield.
The afternoon was taken up with a violin lesson with Mr G Simpson and a harmony
lesson with Mr R Douglas. In my violin lesson we discussed bowing techniques
and tried to rectify a few technical points which had started to slip concerning
my bow hold and hand position on the finger board. The degree lesson consisted
of adding chords to a partly written string quartet and then completing the
missing parts. After this, we had an hour talk about the Royal British Legion
and how it can benefit us.
Evening rehearsal was as normal, orchestra from 1830-2000 hours. We played Firework
music and ran through Schuberts' Unfinished Symphony.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning began with work at 0830. Parade Band was cancelled as the
Drum Major was on the Interview Board for the Section Commanders' Course. At
0915 I had a trumpet lesson with Cpl Williams, in which we played some fairly
difficult duets and discussed my preparation for my final exams. After stand-easy
I attended string-quartets along with Sgt M Carrington and Musns Dawkins and
Brierley-Nobbs. We played through various pieces, working on dynamics and alternative
positions to make certain parts of the music easier to play.
In the afternoon, the majority of Training Company had an afternoon of normal
RT. That was except for myself, Bennett, Nelken, Fothergill, Maynard, Ware and
Woodfield. Our PTIs CSgt J McGough and Sgt C Beattie, had organised a trip to
go to the snow dome at Milton Keynes. We arrived there at 1500 hours and began
skiing on indoor snow. Quite a strange thing to be doing, but nevertheless it
was a worthwhile expedition, although getting on the button-lifts was a different
matter!
Thursday
After a circuit around the track at HMS Temeraire, I ran back to HMS Nelson
and quickly got ready for work. To begin with, I played my cornet, working on
a study from the Arban tutor. After stand-easy, the Big Band rehearsed for an
hour with Mr Don Lusher, playing through and rehearsing a piece called 'Christopher
Columbus'. I spent the afternoon practising both my violin and trumpet, focusing
on technique on the violin and stamina on the trumpet. I then had an hour trumpet
lesson with Mr J Yates. I played through my pieces and he tested me on my scales.
It was followed by a couple of duets and I was set a range and stamina study
to look at throughout next week.
Evening rehearsal began at 1800 hrs with our boss Major P Best. During the rehearsal
we went through the music which we will be playing in a concert with the Royal
British Legion. After the rehearsal, it was a quick change into our 'glad rags'
for the Section Commanders' Course social. It was a fun evening and the event
was in true Oscars style. We even had speeches after the prizes were given out
- maybe not as emotional as the real thing though!
Friday
At 0745 we were fell in on the parade square awaiting the arrival of the Drum
Major for an inspection. Many students got extra parades as they had not cleaned
their heel blocks before standing on parade. We practised halting and did numerous
'advance whilst playing' moves until everyone managed to step-off at the right
time together. On completion of Parade Band, I played my violin. I worked through
various studies in the book, 'Kayser' until stand-easy. After stand-easy I played
through some trumpet pieces and worked on lip-flexibility.
After lunch, we had choir with the singing teacher, which was followed by Concert
Band for an hour and a half. After stand-easy, all of the brass players rehearsed
some ten-piece arrangements - an enjoyable way to finish off the week!