First Notes

Walk around the Royal Marines School of Music and you will hear various sounds and instruments echoing through the corridors - an oboe phrase being repeated until it is perfect; long notes held on a cornet; a violin duet. At first they strike the ear as uncoordinated noises, but before very long the makers of these sounds will come together as a magnificent musical machine - members of the Royal Marines Band Service.

Universally recognised as one of the finest musical bodies in the world, the Royal Marines Band Service provides musical support for the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines on every type of occasion. For although they are probably best know for supporting major ceremonial events with immaculately turned out ranks of white helmets and blue uniforms, playing and marching in perfect time behind the magnificent drummers and the Drum Major - each of the bands which make up the service has to perform as an orchestra and a dance band as well as a military band.

In fact their repertoire covers every category of music including jazz, pop, classical, light concert music and the big band sound. In terms of career experience you could find yourself playing in anything from a full orchestra to jazz, folk and pop groups - variety and excellence are the name of the game.

Today's band service is a unique blend of versatility, talent and tradition, on top of which it has an important medical and military role to provide an operational capability to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. A career as a Royal Marines musician is both physically and professionally demanding but, whether it's playing Mozart or firing an SA80 rifle, the training is unbeatable and the rewards immense.

If you have musical ability it could be the career for you.