Welcome to this week's report. My name is Musn King. I joined the Band Service
7 months ago and I now play the cornet and violin.
The week of March 11th is one that I'd been dreading for over a month. It was
the week before I started my Section Commanders Course. Most weeks go by quite
slowly, but I knew that this one would fly by and it would be the weekend before
I knew it… I was right!
Monday
As most of you that read the web reports regularly should already know Monday mornings always begin with a session in the gym or a 'nice little jog' along Southsea sea front. Without fail, at 0730 we were on our way to Southsea. Halfway there we played firemen by carrying out the firemen's lift as we ran across the common, some firemen being more successful than others! The run was soon over and by 0845 we were all at work starting on a day of practice. My day began with brass ensemble from 0900-1000 led by Professor Yates. After this I continued with normal practice, At1300 the weekly recitals began in the concert hall. This week Musician Richardson played the Gregson tuba concerto and the wind quintet, led by Professor M Kennard, gave another recital.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning began with a 'fall-in' at 0815 in order to be at work by 0830.
I managed to fit in an hour of trumpet practice before my troop made its way
to the weekly aural lesson with CSgt Hodge. After we'd finished doing our "Doh,
Ray' Me's" we had stand easy and continued with our day's practice. At
1340 my elements group had a mock test for our T3 elements exam on Thursday.
Tuesday evening was, as usual, orchestral practice and private practice for
those not involved with orchestra. I made sure that I could play the marches
correctly for the following morning's Beat Retreat by spending my time practising
them.
Wednesday
At 0800 on Wednesday Training Company band was fallen in on the Parade Squad
awaiting the arrival of the Drum Major and the Bandmaster to begin the Beat
Retreat rehearsals. I found this quite nerve racking as this was my first rehearsal
for a live gig. After an hour of hard concentration and hard blowing we were
dismissed to continue with our day's practise. The Beat Retreat rehearsals were
successful… considering how cold it was that morning!
Wednesday's are always an enjoyable day for me as we have recreational training
after lunch. This particular afternoon Sgt Griffin had organised a squash tournament
at HMS Temeraire. After some well fought games Musns Singleton and Michell were
eventually crowned the squash champions, so well done to them.
Thursday
The Thursday morning PT session was in the gym, not along Southsea front. CSgt
Curry had devised a step-up circuit for us… which soon had us all worn
out. For once I actually enjoyed the circuit… which has to be a first!
Back at the School we had a day of visits. This meant that various ensembles,
groups and bands were formed to show our visitors exactly what we can do. The
pupils from the Nottingham Careers Centre joined in with our Concert Band in
the afternoon. It proved a successful afternoon which, we hope, was enjoyed
by all of them.
In the evening, 6 members of Training Company had to travel the short distance
to St Mary's' Church in Fratton to act as ushers for the Royal Band's concert.
This was an enjoyable evening and also a tiring one as we had Parade Band in
full ceremonials the following morning. This meant our kit had to be done and
all of those brasses cleaned when we returned!
Friday
After a full inspection by the Drum Major on Friday morning we marched around
HMS Nelson playing our parade marches and waking up anyone who thought they
might have a lie in.
I was very restless and nervous for the rest of that day as I was to begin my
Section Commanders Course at 1620. The day dragged on but the time soon came
to start the course. That night I began to lay my kit muster and learn my lecture,
on hockey, for the following morning. The following trainees took part in the
course: Musns Clark, Walton, Hairsine, Fothergill, Linden, Bugler Vyse, and
myself. The weekend was hard, but enjoyable. Over the weekend we led and took
part in drill, command tasks, PT sessions, lectures, a general knowledge test
and the kit muster. Well done to all the participants and a special thanks to
CSgt Basford, Sgt Boland and Cpl Cornish for running and organising the course.
I must also thank Musns O'Malley, Dawkins, Harwood and Keeping for their help
with the command tasks. We await the results…