Monday: The week began with a circuit on Southsea Common, followed by a run back to base. It was then straight back for 0850 ready to start the days work. The morning was mainly private practice for most people during which time I worked mainly on my M3 clarinet study, which I am preparing for my exam in three weeks time. From 1600 -1720 we had a Concert Band rehearsal, where we had a final run through of the pieces for the Mayor Making the next day. The evening saw many people going to the School bar to watch England's 4-2 victory over Croatia!
Tuesday: Our first detail for this morning was 0830 at the Portsmouth
Guildhall ready to set up for the Mayor Making. We rehearsed for about an hour
and then started playing at about ten o'clock as the public came in. The ceremony
began at eleven o'clock and went on for an hour, after which we de-rigged the
stage and loaded the wagon, before having an hour for lunch. It was then back
into work for the afternoon. We had an orchestra rehearsal at the end of the
day where we worked on pieces for our Open Day concert in August, including
'Hook' and 'Finlandia'.
Wednesday: Despite it being a wet and windy morning, we had a short session
of Parade Band outside on the parade ground, practising the display for the
three marching band engagements that we have coming up in July. After stand
easy there was an M3 recital which involved Musn's King and O'Malley playing
their final exam pieces on their violins in front of the Director of Music Training,
the Bandmaster and the rest of Training Company. The afternoon was a Recreational
Training afternoon, which involved people doing sports such as squash, swimming
and tennis.
Thursday: This morning we were in the swimming pool at HMS Temeraire
at 0730 for a circuit session. It was then into work for 0850 for individual
practice. After stand easy I had a clarinet instructor lesson where we spent
time on my M3 study and on a duet for two clarinets with piano accompaniment.
At lunch we had a choir rehearsal followed by an afternoon of private practice
and lessons. At 1600 we had a concert band where we worked on pieces for next
week when we will be travelling to Liverpool for a school's concert. Again in
the evening it was off to the bar to watch the football but sadly not such a
good result for England this time.
Friday: The day began with the current M1 students conducting Parade
Band outside, with the remainder inside being conducted by Cpl Moss and Cpl
Davis who will be undertaking their M1s Course in September. That was followed
by a morning of private practice, during which time I had a run through with
the piano for my Grade 7 violin exam, which I am taking next week. At lunchtime
we had choir again, rehearsing the piece we will be singing on Open Day. After
that concert band from one o'clock, again rehearsing pieces for the concert
next week. On completion of that we were finished for the weekend at our new,
slightly earlier finishing time on a Friday of 1515.