The Savage Report

The World of The Corps Bandmaster OR: One on One
A true story by Steve Savage aged 37 and 27 months

 

Having made my excuses for not having written an article for the previous edition of the Blue Band, I thought I would probably have to put pen to paper for this one.

I tentatively approached the Editor with the idea, and although there was a certain amount of kicking and screaming, he finally succumbed! The problem was that I couldn't come up with suitable subject matter. I eventually received a memo from the Editor suggesting that I may wish to consider writing about the role of the Corps Bandmaster, after all, due to the fact that I was still finding my feet in the post, it was the reason why I hadn't written an article for the previous edition, wasn't it? The problem now was that I didn't have a clue how to approach the article. When you're writing about someone else, you 'interview' them and write the article based on the information they have given you, but writing about the position you hold yourself, well, that's a different matter. I needed time for contemplation, so I did what any self-respecting author of Blue Band articles would do in a situation like this. I placed the memo, along with the entire contents of my in-tray, into an 'internal' envelope and addressed it to myself. I then put it into the mail, showed the office Staff my empty in-tray, told them I had completed all my work, and promptly went fishing for the day. Six hours of sitting by a lake dangling my maggot obviously did the trick as I realised the way forward. I decided that I would not only inform my reader about the role of the Corps Bandmaster, but also about the changes that have occurred due to the relocation of the position within Headquarters Band Service (HQBS).

With my predecessor, Bob Metcalf, and the Band Service Secretary, Dave Gollop, about to finish their 'time', and the fact that the senior management positions had not been reviewed since the relocation of RMSM from Deal, it was decided to overhaul the location of certain personnel and the allocation of their respective responsibilities.

The first proposal was to fully integrate the Corps Bandmaster into HQBS alongside both the PDM and the Corps Drum Major. To do this meant that the Chief Instructor's responsibilities - with the exception of the finances - were passed on to WO2 (as he was then) Tony Smallwood who became the Bandmaster Training. The financial administration was passed over to Bugle Major Bob Platts, who was promoted to WO2 and became the Admin Warrant Officer, whilst still undertaking his duties as Bugle Major Training.

Back in HQBS, it was felt that with careful dissemination of responsibilities, it would be possible to dissolve the position of Band Service Secretary all together. Bearing in mind I was going to have his office, it was just as well that the position was dissolved or I would've ended up working from the coffee boat. Actually, with my undying passion for all things coffee, it mightn't have been so bad after all!

The Corps Bandmaster was to be tasked with the administration of the Band Service Central Insurance policy, the External Training Vote and was to take over as the Secretary of the Royal Marines Band Benevolent Fund (RMBBF), whilst the administration of the remaining funds was handed over to WO2 Ian Monnery, the Assistant Supply Officer (Music). As for the more mundane secretarial duties, well, they got shared out fairly amongst the HQBS Staff so as not to disappoint anyone!

With the proposals accepted, I was drafted to HQBS on completion of Christmas leave to undertake a series of handovers. I familiarised myself with my new surroundings, starting off with the coffee boat where I firmly stowed the biggest mug I could find knowing that it would be used to its full potential, especially at only œ1 a week for all you could drink. Bargain! I then found the fax machine, the photocopier, the filing system, my PC, my Apple Mac and my printer. All I had to do now was to suss out how they all worked!

Dave said that the first thing we should deal with was the Band Service Amenities Fund. I did explain that Ian Monnery was dealing with funds and surely that wasn't my part of ship. However, Dave said that I still had a certain amount of involvement. Now, this bothered me somewhat. Throughout my career there were a few jobs that I never fancied getting involved with and so I avoided them like the plague. The jobs were those of Librarian and Treasurer - oh, and the bloke who had to scrub out the Elsons after Military Training. (By the way, why did Training teams always insist on the Elsons being cleaned out after you had packed away your respirator? Their sense of humour never ceased to impress me). Anyway, Dave put my mind at rest by telling me that although Ian would administer the fund, I could authorise the spending. So, I could spend other people's money without having to worry about accounting for it! The wife would be so envious!

Over the next few weeks we went through all the administration of the External Training Vote and the Band Insurance Policy before tackling what was to become for me one of the most rewarding duties, the Secretary of the Royal Marines Band Benevolent Fund. The RMBBF was set up to assist serving and ex-serving members of the Band Service and their dependants, who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. Since taking on the job, the Committee and I have dealt with many diverse cases, and it gives me a great deal of satisfaction knowing that we have been able to help in some small way.

When Dave finally left the Service, he left me three things that were to prove invaluable for me in the coming months; a year planner containing all the details of the important dates, such as days on which to send out calling letters for meetings, agenda items and insurance letters etc, his mobile phone number - which I have only used once, and a kid's space gun which fires little foam rings. I took the Mickey when I first saw it, but as an executive stress reliever it's a little belter!

Prior to Christmas leave I had been over to RMSM on a few occasions to speak to Bob about the Corps Bandmaster's biggest annual duty, the production of MFM. Despite the fact that we had talked through the processes a number of times, it really doesn't measure up to actually doing it for real. Bob was on gardening leave and EVTs during MFM 2001, so having done much of the ground work, the rest was down to me. Not bad considering that I didn't officially take over as the Corps Bandmaster until four weeks after MFM! This again was a hugely daunting task as Bob had produced the MFM for quite a few years and I was the 'new kid on the block'. Bob would put much of the show together almost without thinking about it. As far as MFM was concerned, his finger was well and truly on the pulse - not something he will be able to put into practice in his present employment however! Notwithstanding the fact that it was the most worrying, tiring and stressful thing that I have ever had to contend with, it was without any doubt at all, the most satisfying. It was a huge learning curve and believe me, when you're dropped in at the deep end it can be very, very deep! MFM 2001 was a great success thanks to all those involved, with a personal emphasis on the production team. Even after the event the production team's job was not over. At a post-MFM wash-up we raised many points, which we will endeavour to put into place for MFM 2002, to ensure that it is as 'painless' as possible for the performers, whilst improving our professional standards and giving the concert-goers a World-class show.

Bob also gave me an insight into the world of Branch advisor, imparted some of the advice that he had passed on to those who needed it, and highlighted many issues that he had either dealt with personally, or had staffed to a higher authority for consideration. Basically, the Corps Bandmaster is in a position not only to advise on Band Service matters, but also to raise the profile of contentious issues that may affect morale or the general running of the Musicians' side of the Band Service. This is done either at EMBs, GMBs, the WOs Seminar or privately, as I always have the ear of the PDM or SOBS should the need arise. So basically when it comes to 'sticking an oar' in, I have a 'Divine right'. and a fairly attractive left come to think about it! This is an extremely important and necessary privilege which is never-ending, and you never know what issue is going to be raised next. Whilst there is a great feeling of satisfaction and achievement when something gets sorted, there is also a huge feeling of disappointment when it goes the other way. There are no prizes for guessing that one of the main issues at the moment is PAY 2000, and although I'm not going to go into any details in this article, the serving members amongst you can rest assured that the Staff at HQBS are putting a great deal of time and effort into raising the issues which affect you personally.

The Corps Bandmaster is also involved in the Volunteer Band movement to the extent that he is Assistant Secretary of the Royal Naval Volunteer Band Association. This means that he is a general point of contact and advisor for the VBIs, he organises and administers the VBI acquaints, and is also actively involved as an adjudicator at the VB Festival. Now although I had attended Festivals on a number of occasions as a spectator, this was my first year 'on the Board'. I have to say that the standard of all the Bands' dress, drill and general quality of musicianship was incredibly high. Whilst not taking anything away from the players in any way shape or form, much of this is down to the quality of our VBIs. They have not only increased the standards in all areas, but have encouraged a true sense of commitment amongst the players whilst maintaining the enjoyment factor and a true social spirit within the Bands. The post-Festival fancy dress power-drinking session proved that - so I am led to believe! I thoroughly enjoyed my first Festival, and I heartily congratulate all those who took part. Later this year, Captain Henderson, the Secretary of VB Association, and I will begin a series of informal visits to the Volunteer Bands as a means of meeting the players on their home turf, answering any burning questions and generally showing them that we don't just get let out of our box for the Festival.

One of the most pleasurable duties of the Corps Bandmaster, should he be asked to do so, is to chair the Top Table dinners for those SNCO's leaving the Service. The first opportunity I had was to chair the 'double-header' for Dave and Bob. It was an honour to have been asked to do so and a pleasure to embarrass them by dishing the dirt from their dim and distant past, as only those who have attended those dinners will know! It was a great send off for two of the most respected men that the Band Service has known. Their professionalism and dedication to their duties won them both Meritorious Service Medals, and I am extremely pleased to say that Bob was also recently awarded a well deserved MBE. Personally, I would like to thank them both for their patience and diligence during my handover, although the fact that Dave didn't get the coffee on very often was noted!

The duties mentioned above are not, of course, the end of it. The Corps Bandmaster also has to co-ordinate all Massed Bands engagements, administer Biennial Inspections - as well as being part of the team, administer all composition competitions, and is actively involved in many other duties including a smattering of teaching and adjudicating. All in all, it is an incredibly important and varied job, and although there never seem to be enough hours in the day, I love it.
On the recreational side, as my reader may well have already sussed out, I have also become actively involved with the HQBS coarse fishing 'chapter', which currently has three full time members: myself, Ted Maynard - the PDM's driver and HQBS transport guru, and the recently returned green-hatted LCpl 'Pess' Pessoll - the Registry JNCO. Even the Staff Officer Band Service has been known to get his 'waggler' wet on occasions! See, who said I never do sport?!

It is safe to say that the relocation has worked very well and that the Corps Bandmaster's position is firmly welded into the infrastructure at HQBS for the foreseeable future. It has been hard work, but I am getting there. For example, I have worked out a personal filing system for my office; despite the fact that Karen - the PDM's typist, and Pess refer to it as the 'admin vortex', I know where everything is. I also know that due to the amount of paper that comes across my desk, my filing system will be weeded out, my desk will be free of post-it notes and my in-tray will be empty on or about the fifth of November every year.

Much of the paperwork is 'information only' forwarded from either the Dockyard, HMS Nelson or HQRM. Just yesterday, Pess handed me a piece of paper that had just been put in my pigeon-hole. I inwardly digested the contents.

"Pess have you read this?" I enquired.
"No Sir" came the reply.
"Well you should do, it's a temporary memorandum detailing the Navy's top ten issues."
"Typical". said the then disgruntled Lance Corporal.
"... trust Jolly Jack to push out a memo tellin' us all about their favourite sporting footwear".
Puzzled, I thought for a while. Then the penny dropped.
"No, Pess, the Navy's top ten issues, NOT the Navy's top tennis shoes!".
You just can't get the Staff!