Corps of Drums Corner

The Corps Bugle Major WO1 RD Platts CTABRSM Royal Marines

WO1 RD Platts

In the first week of the New Year, four candidates joined the RMSoM for the B1's Course. My thanks to Bug Maj Lee Cullen and Sgt Bug ‘Scouse’ Annett for managing and running the course superbly over the 12-week period and although certain elements have yet to be examined, my best wishes to Cpl Bugs ‘Chas’ Brown, ‘Buster’ Brown, ‘Lionel’ Blair and ‘Chumpy’ Chapman in anticipation of what I am sure will be a successful outcome.

Starting a week later, two individuals embarked on the Drum Majors’ Course. I was able to observe their humble beginnings during the first week and was encouraged to witness their development by the end of the four-week course. Full praise must go to the Corps Drum Major, WO2 ‘Wiggy’ Whitwham, for his outstanding guidance and many congratulations to Loc Cpl Bugs ‘Caleb’ Brown and ‘Stu’ Warmington for attaining Superior passes. Additionally, congratulations to the two Foreign and Commonwealth students from Barbados and Botswana for their commendable results.

As many of you will be aware, over the past four years I have been trying to finalise external recognition, exclusive to the Buglers of the Royal Marines Band Service, from an international examining body. To that end, I am delighted to inform you that the Associated Board has now approved the repertoire for snare drum and the route will comprise:

Section A, Trommel Suite (Fink) and Three Dances (Benson); Section B, Final Lap, Samba (Davila) and, Inter Cultural Conversation (King); Section C, Hands Across the Sea or Westbrook Muster (Pratt), Drum Scherzo (A Piner), D’Ysebahn (Berger) and March , Strathspey , Reel (Brown). Candidates would need to perform one piece from both Sections A and B, and two from Section C.

Unfortunately, the trumpet route still requires further work. Jonathan Impett, a student of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, has been commissioned to compose four pieces; however, until these have been completed, this particular route can only move ahead at a slow pace. That aside, other material has already been sourced and approved: Judgment of Paris (Weldon J), Suite of Ayres for the Theatre (Clarke J), The Duke of Gloucester (Purcell H) and Duke of Gloucester (Clarke J).

Both routes will require the individual to show competence on their second instrument, at a standard comparable to Grade 8, perform a quick study test and a viva voce.

My intention as the Corps Bugle Major has always been to gain equal status alongside other instrumental categories within the musical industry, and our internal examinations and external opportunities go a long way in securing our long-term status. As we witnessed at this year’s MFM, the Corps of Drums has an abundance of talent and, whilst we must continue to maintain a high level of professionalism in our day-to-day ceremonial role, we should also have the courage to push the boundaries and explore music ‘outside of the box’. MFM certainly provided such an opportunity and I hope the Corps of Drums will continue to embrace other musical challenges with equal passion.

As my final days as the Corps Bugle Major draw to a close, I would like to thank you all for the unwavering support over the past four years. I have been extremely fortunate and privileged to represent a group of people who never fail to respond with enthusiasm, passion and professionalism and I wish you all every success in the future.

My best wishes,

Bob

Drum Majors' Course

After coming back from Christmas Leave, we had only one week to prepare for the forthcoming Drum Majors' Course.

We mustered at Plymouth bandroom on a cold and windy Monday morning, only to find out four weeks later that every day at HMS Raleigh was the same. After a hot cuppa and a chit secured in the coffee boat, we were to meet the other two members who would be attending the course: Sgt David Coddrington from the Barbados Police Force and Sgt Arnold Mosweu from the Botswana Police Force. A quick chat with Maj Thornhill (Course Officer) and we were straight into the course.

The first two days were with Sgt Snell (Deli), the Design and Production Manager of the Blue Band Magazine, and what he doesn’t know about computers isn’t worth knowing. I did hear that when Microsoft gets into trouble Bill Gates phones Deli up for advice. The two days flew by and we are both now up and running with Word, Excel and graphics etc.

On the third day we got our staffs, gauntlets and parade canes from the Store. This was what we had been waiting for but after 20 minutes of staff drill, and with arms throbbing like a blind cobbler's thumb, Caleb and I were wondering how we were going to get through the rest of the day, let alone four weeks. I’m glad to say that after a few days the muscles got used to it. Throughout the rest of the course we covered subjects such as RORRS, Minor Sanctions, Welfare, Law, Dress Regs, Drill and - our favourite - Band Service History. The rest of the course went without any problems and I’m proud to say we both got Superior Passes. We are now awaiting our first gigs and our new tunics, tight pants and shiny boots have now been ordered.

A big thank you must go to Plymouth Band for all the time they put into our rehearsals and to all the people who taught us or gave lectures on our course. As I bring this article to a close we’re just getting ready to go to MFM.

So until next time… Roger Out

Caleb & Warmy

The Drum Majors' Course

Cpl Bug Caleb Brown, Sgt David Coddrington, Sgt Arnold Mosweu, Cpl Bug Stuart Warmington
WO1 R Platts, Lt Col C Davis, WO2 J Whitwam

RMSoM Corps of Drums

The first term of 2007 has proved to be a very busy one so far at the RMSoM Buglers' Suite. First and foremost we have welcomed Cpl Bug Phil Hawkins as our new instructor. He has proved to be a very good addition to the team, already highly respected and well thought of by the students, due to his professional attitude, sense of humour and his obvious passion for the job, as shown whilst instructing various sessions. His predecessor, Cpl Bug Chapman, is still at the School though now as a student, along with three others on the B1's course. They are well on their way to completing their course at the School and we wish them all well on their final exams.

The largest intake of buglers for some time at the School also entered the domain for the first time, looking rather daunted at the prospect of six terms with Sgt Bug Annett after falling victim to one of his notorious hard stares! Bug Trowbridge returns to us again after successfully completing Basic Training and Cartwright, Davies, Hatcher, Kidd, Paine, Ritchie and Tomkins join him. So far they have settled in fairly well with the day to day routines, safe in the knowledge that an extra drum parade or another minor sanction is always just around the corner. Unfortunately we have already had to bid farewell to Kieran Hatcher who has decided that service life is not for him and has left to pursue another career. We would all like to wish him luck for the future.

A couple of weeks ago we were fortunate enough to be taken up to London to watch The Blue Man Project. The not so fortunate ones amongst us, after having closely inspected our tickets, noticed that we were in the ‘Poncho Section’ much to the amusement of the NCOs and we sat three rows from the front wearing bright yellow ponchos. The rest sat comfortably further back, but were disappointed when our yellow overcoats proved unnecessary. We would, however, like to thank Bug Maj Cullen for organising this trip for us.

Our final exciting adventure occurred when we were privileged enough to have a masterclass in the Parker VC Hall by Bob Armstrong. Although better known for being a full kit player, Mr Armstrong showed us the possibilities of the snare drum. The afternoon was inspirational with many ideas of new techniques and practice routines, but perhaps more so because of the dedication and enthusiasm that he had for his drumming.

As we move slowly towards the end of term, Bugs Harris and Challis will be taking their B3's exams. Again, we hope that they go well and that they will be on their way to Plymouth and Scotland respectively. Bugs Reilly, Cartwright and Kidd will be attending the Section Commanders’ Course very soon on which we are sure they will do very well!

Bug Walters

Last updated 15:27 26 July 2007