Monday
Monday morning and back to the grindstone after an enjoyable weekend break, phys was top of the agenda, nice and early at the gym for 0730. After rushing back and having a shower and getting changed for the day ahead, I had to think about what I needed to do for the long day ahead at the School of Music. After marching over, I went into my practice cell and knew I wouldn't be out of there until I had thrashed my lips on the bugle (which I normally do). Buglers Johnson, Mace and Lowe were hard at work practising all the pieces they had to play for their gig at the World Cup finals in Korea.
Tuesday
Up early at 0530 to prepare for rounds that morning. Making sure we have no
excuse to be picked up. In amongst various lessons was an aural lesson from
CSgt Hodge. We were hard at work practising rudiments and pieces needed for
our end of term assessment. We had Corps of Drums drill in the afternoon and
had new manoeuvres to learn. Marching into a Chevron and then a staggered line.
It went quite well considering we only had 4 Buglers and couldn't fully complete
the Chevron.
Wednesday
Wednesday, the day that I look forward to in the week because we have RT (Recreational
Training). After a hard morning's practice we go off to lunch so we are all
energised for whatever the PT instructors have for us to do.
The Buglers, including myself, were asked to fall in outside our accommodation
instead of going to RT. We were all quite worried at this point with certain
things going through our minds; locker inspection for example. We fell in waiting
nervously. Sgt Boulton and Cpl Cornish came over, "Have you got your locker
keys?" Cpl Cornish asked, we knew it! "Well keep them in your pockets
you don't need them" Phew! We were marched over to Royal Marines Portsmouth
bandroom and up to the Corps of Drums area where we saw Portsmouth Buglers,
the Corps Drum Major, Bugle Major and various others, they wanted to thank us
for the work we had done at the Inverted Chevrons Dinner, also there were some
goodbyes to the Buglers Branch, Bugler Johnson and Sgt Bugler Waterhouse. Out
came the port and we made a toast to the Branch. Definitely an enjoyable afternoon
except that the three buglers Lowe, Mace and Johnson were told that their trip
to Korea had been cancelled for certain reasons, so they were not too happy
at all, and very disappointed but at least the gloating can stop now eh fellas?
Thursday
Thursday morning saw phys again, or so we thought. To everyone's delight it
had been cancelled, so an extra lie in was well enjoyed. At work there were
quite a few things I had to remember, a bugle prof lesson, drum lessons, aural
lesson and there were lots of things to be getting on with in the way of practice
too. On the Monday we were going to have a full No. 1's inspection, so work
was needed to be done on our pith helmets i.e. paint them and polish the brasses.
They had to be perfect.
Friday
Friday saw the weekend just around the corner, but before that, there was still
lots to be getting on with. I had some bugle prof lessons, and was given work
that will definitely keep me busy! In the afternoon, the four of us (Term 1s)
had a group work session with Professor Cameron. We learned about putting accents
in various places in a parradiddle. Quite tricky but I think all of us picked
it up ok.
Another busy week nearly down and we're looking forward to the weekend.
Saturday
Saturday morning and we all go through repertoire, the pieces we have learnt
through the week and also Bugling exercises, warm ups, articulation etc. Also
pieces I have for the end of term assessment need to be practised i.e rudiments,
rudimental pieces and a bugle piece. At lunch time we all go off to scran or
pack our bags to go home. It had been another busy week and now I know what
being a Bugler is all about.
It's definitely not easy, but with hard work, it can be really enjoyable.