Monday
Today was our usual Monday morning wake-up call with PT at 0730. We went for
a run with one of our PTI's along Southsea seafront and back to base, with a
few circuits thrown in along the way for good measure. Later that morning I
had a violin lesson with Sgt Boland where we worked on my scales and one of
my pieces called Passamezzo, ready for my Grade 5 exam in a few weeks time.
In the evening we had Rounds to prepare for the next morning, both communal
areas and making sure your own personal bed space is clean and tidy for when
it would be inspected on Tuesday.
Tuesday
Final preparations for Rounds were made before going into work for 0830. This
morning I had a violin lesson with Ms Cresci, the violin and viola professor,
where we worked towards my Grade 5 exam, especially concentrating on sight-reading
and scales. The rest of my day was taken up with individual practice on my clarinet
and violin. In the evening we had an orchestra rehearsal with the Bandmaster.
We played through various pieces including Westminster Waltz and Oklahoma, working
towards our Open Day Concert at the end of July.
Wednesday
This morning we had Parade Band from 0800 to 0900. We began working on some
new marches towards Open Day including 'Zanzibar' and 'Soldier and Sailor Too'.
The rest of the morning was taken up with individual practice. In the afternoon
we had RT. There was no organised activity so people did their own thing including
squash, swimming and football.
Thursday
This morning we had Sponsored Prayers instead of PT. This was followed by string
quartets for me and three other string players. At one o'clock I had elements
with Colours Holman where we worked on figured bass. After that I had a clarinet
lesson with the clarinet professor. We worked on studies from the Klosé
clarinet book and then did some sight reading in the form of duets. That evening
we had to go to Portsmouth Bandroom to make a recording of two pieces composed
by CSgt McGain-Harding as part of his degree. This included a trumpet solo played
by Cpl Williams and a Fantasia for Bassoon played by Sgt Ridley.
Friday
Today we were going on long weekend but first we had Parade Band. Again we were
working towards Open Day and we looked at Summon the Heroes for the first time,
a solo which Cpl Williams will be playing on the day, in the middle of Guildhall
Square. After Parade Band we tidied up the School, collected our leave passes
and went on Long Weekend until Wednesday morning when we would be straight back
into work with another session of Parade Band. Practice makes perfect!