Monday
The week began with some trepidation as the vast majority of students were to
undertake an exam in the forthcoming days. Monday was kick started by those
students taking their Term 3 exams on their instruments. Elements and aural
exams had been completed the previous week. The first set of candidates were
excused Physical Training in order to do any last minute preparations. The remainder
of Training Company gathered at the gym at 0730 for our early morning wake up
call.
Throughout the day the Director of Music Training, Major Best, and the Bandmaster,
Mr Martin, made their way through the numbers of students nervously awaiting
their examinations. Those students who had completed their exams, could heave
a sigh of relief and wait to receive their results. Not all students however,
were that lucky - the exams were set to run up until 1620 Friday.
Tuesday
Tuesday followed much the same as Monday. A steady trickle of students entering,
then leaving the concert hall as another exam was completed. The Term 3 students
gave way to Term 5 students and the standard of playing increased.
By this stage of the week the M3 students, those waiting to take their final
exams, were becoming slightly anxious and wishing that their exams had been
at the beginning of the week, not at the end! The afternoon came and went, without
any incidents. The majority of students who had taken exams appeared to be happy
with their performances.
Tuesday evening is usually used for an orchestra or Concert Band rehearsal,
but due to the exams, the Boss decided to cancel it. This was appreciated greatly
by those who had exams the following day.
Wednesday
Wednesday was only half a day of exams, as Recreational Training in the afternoon
was to be attended by all. The last of the Term 5 exams were completed which
left Thursday and Friday for M3 exams. Wednesday afternoon's RT was a session
of ice skating at Holbrook Recreation Centre in Gosport. Fortunately all the
students came back in one piece with no injuries sustained!
Thursday
Panic now descended on some of the Term 8 students as their exams were timetabled
for that morning. As I myself am a Term 8 student, I eagerly awaited news from
those just finishing their exams, willing them all to do well.
Towards the end of the morning the news spread that Thursday afternoon could
now be used for exams (it was previously free). The majority of exams were rearranged
and I found myself with my exam that afternoon, instead of Friday afternoon.
I, like the other students, was keen to do it early and get it out of the way.
Thursday evening, also usually a rehearsal was cancelled. Again, all the students
were relieved to have the evening to relax.
Friday
Parade Band had a slight difference on this occasion. We worked on 'table routines'.
This is when you have a small band doing a parade display in a small area, such
as a dance floor. It was great to do something different, also something which
would be useful for those ranks passing out in July.
The exams continued after Parade Band and by lunchtime were all over. Everyone
could relax, well only a little - we hadn't had the results - they were to follow
that afternoon.
Around 1430 we began to queue outside DOM(T)'s office waiting our results -
hearts pounding and hands sinking. We finally all got our results. We all passed,
everyone with Superior Passes. We could give ourselves a big pat on the back,
and look forward to the evenings celebrations.
All of the M3 students received marks they were happy with. Well done everyone!
Musn Thomson-Bizly