I am Musician Dawkins from Troop 1/01 and have now been in music training for
8 months.
Monday
Today we had a hard session of PT with Colours McGough just what everyone needed
after 3 weeks off for Summer Leave. The session consisted of a run down to the
seafront, circuits then a 'jog' back to base. After a cold shower, to cool myself
down, it was back to the School of Music for a full day's work. I had practice
up until lunch then I had a violin professor's lesson during which we worked
on my bow holding technique followed by a clarinet professor's lesson. In the
evening my troop went to Pizza Hut to celebrate that we all made it to the end
of our first year in the Band Service.
Tuesday
Up at 0630hrs to prepare for rounds: clean sheets, which had been ironed, straight
on my bed, hoovered and dusted till there wasn't any dust to be seen but sadly
it wasn't enough. I had to stand rounds again the following night. After preparing
for rounds I went into work, practised on my violin for the morning to work
on 3rd position and my bow hold. In the afternoon I practised the clarinet,
working towards Grade 6. In the evening we had Concert Band until 2000hrs.
Wednesday
Woke up at 0645hrs went to breakfast then got ready for Parade Band. This was
the first time we'd been out on Parade since Open Day so you probably can imagine
how special it was! It was also the new entry troop first time on parade with
a band. In the afternoon we had RT. Colours McGough took us to the seafront
where we played softball for 2 hours. In the evening some of us had stand by
for rounds. Luckily, for the girls, we only had the one, me, but unfortunate
for the lads whose extra rounds went on till 2130.
Thursday
The morning started off with sponsored prayers during which the brass group
played. I practised my instruments until lunch time and spent the afternoon
in a harmony lesson with the Bandmaster (Mr Martin). In the evening we had Concert
Band rehearsal.
Friday
We had Parade Band this morning. This seemed to go quite well. At 0945 my troop
had aural with Sgt Ridley… we did a lot of singing. After lunch we had
history with Sgt Ridley, again, working on Beethoven. After, we had strings
rehearsals with Sgt Boland and after work I went home for the weekend.
Saturday
Went in Peterborough town did a bit of shopping with my sister. In the evening
I went out around Peterborough with a few friends visiting some of the local
taverns, bars, inns and purveyors of fine quality beverages.
Sunday
I slept till about 1300, finally got up, had some dinner, then got the train
back to Portsmouth refreshed ready for another week at the School of music.