Monday
This was the beginning of a hard week of practising for our Open Day at the
Guildhall. First of all we took a trip down to the Dockyard to do a Parade Band
Practice. This involved lots of logistics and repeating the moves until we got
them right. Then it was back to the School for a concert Band rehearsal. I played
third horn, which is paired with 1st horn so by the end our lips were tired
from the high notes! After a cup of tea, we changed to orchestra for a rehearsal
of the Andante from Mozart p/concerto - soloist Steve Beasley. After lunch we
had an extended choir practice. We were to perform a medley of Andrew Lloyd
Weber Songs on Open Day. The rest of the day was left for personal practice,
so I went over a couple of pieces from Concert Band where there were a couple
of tricky moments.
Tuesday
This again started with a Parade Band practice. The routine was now pieced together
and running smoothly. As were the Concert Band, orchestra and choir, which we
practised for the rest of the day. At the end of the day there was another Parade
Band rehearsal for a gig the next day - the Basic Training Troop were to pass
out and we were going to play for their Passout which their parents were attending.
Wednesday
Only one day until Open Day now, so off we went for our last Parade Band run
through at the Guildhall Square, everything went fine, except for a couple of
people walking into hidden bollards, I mention no names, Musn Strange! After
another Concert Band practice, it was time to get into our ceremonials and march
on the Basic Training Troop. After an inspection and awards ceremony the 'new'
Royal Marines marched past, looking as proud as their parents.
Thursday
It was off to the Guildhall in our suits for our final run through. After the
stage was set up, we ran through the programme from top to bottom and practised
stage changes. At last it was time to go and meet our parents. After a leisurely
lunch with my family I headed back to get into my uniform and give my French
horn a good polish. It was 1400 and time to get on stage. We all stood for the
National Anthem and then we started on our concert.
Half way through was an awards ceremony for those students who had completed
their 3 years training and were off to their respective bands. We finished with
our finale routine of Britannic Salute with the Buglers after an evening hymn
Sunset. Then we were into a 'Life on the Ocean Wave' and were being applauded
profoundly.
After a break to talk to our parents and put our ceremonial crossstrap and pouch,
and pith helmets on, we formed up in the road to start our Parade Band display.
It involves wheels, countermarching, splits, drum statics, and reforming into
one band again. My parents said it brought a tear to their eyes. But, the best
bit was still to come, the big night out on the town, which involved a lot of
dancing and falling over - not because we were drinking or anything though!
Friday
After waking up in a bit of a haze it was time to say goodbye to my parents
but not for long, because we now had leave for nearly 4 weeks, and after packing,
it was time to set off on the four and a half hour journey back home for a well
deserved rest.