Monday
After a weekend spent preparing for Term 3 (T3) and Bugler 3 (B3) exams… this was the big day. We were excused from phys and so arrived at work at 0815 to set up for the exam. At 0900, Bugler Vyse went in for his B3 exam. Meanwhile, Buglers Lowe, Keeping, Ford and myself were nervously waiting to be called in for our T3 exam. This exam marks the half way point of our training and is also our first chance to perform individually in front of the Director of Music (Training).
I was called through for my exam at about 1430. I began on bugle, playing a selection of calls and a fanfare from memory, followed by bugle study and some sight-reading. I was quite happy with this section and moved onto the drum confident that I had made a good start. The drumming began with salutes, beatings, marches and marching solos, chosen by the Bugle Major and once again played from memory. This was followed by rudiments, a study (in 5/8!), a piece and sight-reading. This section also went quite well.
Finally, I was assessed on the Eb Herald Trumpet. Firstly, I had to play 4ths to a trumpet fanfare, which went fine, but then I moved on to the study. I had a bit of a nightmare with this to say the least. My lip went and I really struggled with the higher notes. The sight-reading was slightly better but I came out feeling rather depressed with my performance.
We were excused cleaning for Rounds, as they were to take place Wednesday morning instead, due to our early morning parade band rehearsal in the morning. Instead we spent the evening meeting the new auditionees. They had arrived in the afternoon and would be at the school for most of the week, taking part in auditions, interviews, physical tests, theory tests etc.
Tuesday
The first detail for this morning was in the gym for parade band at 0745. We fell in and were inspected by the Drum Major before we began a rehearsal for the New Entry Troops pass out parade on Friday. We spent at least an hour and a half on this, going through both the parade and the Beating Retreat that followed.
We returned to the School of Music and continued with some private practise until lunch.
After lunch, I had two theory exams back to back. Firstly, I took a mock M3 elements exam and then I had my T3 elements exam. I was quite confident although on talking to the others after the exam I realised I had made a few little mistakes.
Evening instruction was spent going through repertoire for the Pass-Out Parade and for the Christmas Concert next week. On completion of this we prepared for Rounds.
Wednesday
We got up at 0630 this morning and prepared the room for Rounds. We had 'fall in' at 0815 and marched to work for 0830. We did some private practiSe and then went to the gym for 0915 to practise for Pass Out again. The pressure was on for the final run through, particularly for the buglers as the Principle Director of Music, the Corps Drum Major and the Corps Bugle Major were all present. On completion of this, just before lunch, the four of us who had taken T3s on Monday went to DOM(T)'s office for our results. We were called through one at a time and were also given the results of the recent Grade V Drumming exam we had taken. Thankfully I passed everything, despite the slips on the trumpet side.
There was no RT this afternoon as the PTIs were busy preparing for the New Entrys' Pass Out. However, I had a lesson with Professor Cameron on drum instead. He helped me break down my exam results and went through various pieces and rudiments for my exam next week.
After work, I went into town to hire a dinner suit for the Christmas Social next week and to do a bit of Christmas shopping. Then it was back to base for the Junior Rates Christmas Dinner. It has always been a naval tradition that the Christmas Dinner is served by Senior Officers, today was no exception and was quite a sight to see!
Thursday
Thursday was more or less a normal day. I had my weekly lesson with Prof. Yates in the morning and the rest of the day continuing with private practise. Despite it being close to the end of term, I am still working hard with another exam to prepare for next week. The final period of the day was spent in a harmony lesson with the Bandmaster.
Evening instruction was spent rehearsing our drum sequence with the band for the Christmas Concert next week. We were then finished slightly earlier than the band, in order to go and ensure all our kit was immaculately cleaned for the parade in the morning.
Friday
After a bit of a lie in, I woke up at 0745 and, as I was 'duty bell', I went over to the school to clean the bell and the plaques. I then bought some breakfast from the NAAFI before returning to my room and started getting in to my ceremonials for the Pass Out Parade. We had a quick run through of the drum static at 1000 before forming up for the real thing at 1030. We marched on the New Entry Troop to Sarie Marais before accompanying the inspection and the New Entrys' Drill Display. We marched the troop off after the presentations and went into our band display. This generally seemed to go quite well. We seemed to keep in straight lines, our stick-work seemed to be nice and together and I didn't make any mistakes!
We returned to work for our history class after lunch but our good work in the parade earlier was rewarded by us being allowed to finish an hour early for the afternoon. I consequently decided I would go home for the weekend, so jumped on a train at about 1630. I arrived home to find all the Christmas decorations up and the fridge and freezer already bursting at the seams.
Saturday
After having a well deserved lie in, I spent most of the day in front of the computer writing some of my history essay for Sgt Ridley, some written work for Sgt Boulton and, of course, this report. It's nice to have a home cooked meal for dinner though!
Sunday
I woke up at 1000 this morning and carried on with a bit more work on the computer and looked at a couple of marches I need to learn for next week. I then drove into Windsor where I teach drumming and bugling at my old Sea Cadet Unit. I spent a couple of hours there before returning home for a nice Sunday Roast. It was then time to get back on the train and return to Portsmouth.