Monday morning the four buglers in Training Company ventured over to
Pompey Band to start the week of Mountbatten rehearsals. Previously, we had
already been through the music a couple of times so we knew roughly what we
were in for. The whole day was spent rehearsing our routine and trying to learn
it off by heart. By the end of the day most of us had it under our belts.
Tuesday morning was very much the same, but in the afternoon we moved
to the Guildhall to join the rest of the Massed Bands rehearsal. We played through
our routine with them, had a 'rig-up' with the drum kit and the bass guitar
for our static 'Millennium'. This proved to have its problems because the distance
between us caused a time lag. By the end of that rehearsal our arms were on
fire after all that stickwork!
Wednesday was the longest day. After a bit of hanging around while the
stage was set up, we managed to get in a few run throughs of our static and
our routine for the first time. That evening we had a full run-through for the
timing and sound checks, and then travelled back to Pompey, very tired.
Thursday morning we left again just before noon. When we arrived we had
a couple more run throughs of the static just to be sure. Then it was a lot
of hanging around waiting for the big moment. When it finally came we were all
very nervous, well us mere trainees were anyway. The gig went well. There was
a lot of relief when the finale was over, we were all nervous that we were going
to trip down the steps.
Friday and Saturday were much the same, more hanging around and cleaning
kit.
When Saturday was finished we were all very relieved.
That night we travelled home looking forward to our one day weekend and while
the rest of the Massed Bands enjoyed a well earned rest until Wednesday, in
true Training Company style we were back at work on Monday in the gym for half
seven, never mind eh? Life in a blue suit.