COMMENT

Lieutenant Colonel C J Davis
OBE BA(Hons) MMus DMA LRAM RM
Commandant RMSM
and
Principal Director of Music Royal Marines

Last term ended in splendid style with yet another excellent Open Day and Prize Giving ceremony, presented by students from the RMSoM, in front of a capacity audience in the Guildhall, Portsmouth. The Commandant of the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Brigadier Salmon, presented the prizes and addressed the large audience. The afternoon comprised a concert by the orchestra, Big Band and concert band and the Open Day finished with a Beat Retreat, prior to which the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth kindly hosted our guests for tea. The Open Day has become an important annual event for both the RMSoM and the City of Portsmouth.

This autumn term has once again seen many developments and policy changes within the Naval Service. One such strategy which will impact greatly on the Band Service is the Transformation/Lean process. This initiative has its origins in the Toyota Car Company of the late 1920s and was instigated as a process to streamline the company's operational output. The Band Service has successfully been through this process and has learned a great deal about its operating procedures and its financial accountability. I see this process as 'good housekeeping’ as well as providing evidence and justification for our continued existence in this financially-driven world. The options resulting from this event have yet to be fully endorsed; however, Headquarters is working hard to ensure that a smooth transition will ensue, should any changes be accepted as part of the transformation.

The Band Service Reunion was an outstanding success this year, perhaps the best since the relocation from Deal, in 1997. It did help that a younger generation were represented with the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Falkland Islands Campaign. Both young and ‘not so young' entered in the spirit of reunion; the meeting up of old friends and the making of new friendships all made this a weekend to remember. The RMSoM Band provided a splendid Beat Retreat before the Reunion, and the orchestra from the Portsmouth Band led the Memorial Service with great style on the Sunday morning. My thanks and gratitude go to Bugle Major Tommy Lawton once again for his steady nerve and hard work in making all the arrangements and for giving us a weekend to remember.

This term has also been very rewarding musically with some fine performances, most notably at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance with a performance of Jerusalem, sung by soprano Katherine Jenkins. It was noticeable that we had a lot of volunteers for this engagement; presumably this was either due to the presence of this superb artist or the joy of once again working with the Corps Drum Major! In November we were fortunate to host a visit by Professor David King, Chair of Performance at the University of Salford. Professor King conducted the première performance of Peter Graham’s Harrison’s Dream. This performance coincided with the 300th anniversary of the Naval disaster, which prompted the Act of Parliament to devise a means by which mariners could find longitude and the work depicts John Harrison’s struggle and dilemma to find a clock which would hold consistent time, allowing true positions at sea to be logged. The performance received a standing ovation by the 600 capacity audience, with the composer commenting that this was the best live performance he had ever witnessed by either brass band or wind band. The impact that Professor King's visit made will remain with the band and audience for a long time. His commitment to musical excellence, and the humanity and responsive communication of his musical thought process was a humbling and unique experience to all of us who were able to be part of this unforgettable couple of days.

Finally, as we come to the end of another busy year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our bands for the sterling work they have carried out during the year in support of the Naval Service and Service charities. I receive nothing but praise from the many organisations we work for; well done indeed. I trust that every one of you will enjoy the forthcoming festive season with your families; Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Last updated May 2008