Professional Musician

On completion of Phase 1 Training the emphasis is on music and you will be issued your own instruments. Although some musicians choose to bring their own, the quality of instruments issued at the school is exceptionally high. There are also repair facilities and skilled craftsmen to help you keep your instruments well maintained.

At the same time you will be assigned to a civilian professor of music and a Band Service NCO instructor for each instrument you are learning.

The professors are all superb full-time teachers recruited from top orchestras; the instructors are talented and experienced military musicians. They will be your tutors throughout training and you'll have a great deal of contact with them during that time.

Each week, you will have at an individual 40-minute lessons, on each instrument, with your professors.. After each, the professor will set you work to practise, and you will have your own individual practice room for this purpose. Your instructor, who is responsible for a small number of junior musicians, will keep an eye on your progress. He or she plays the instrument too, so they will be able to make sure you are practising the right things and sort out any problems. It's a system designed to develop your musical talents quickly and correctly-and is the envy of music colleges throughout the country.

Many musicians have to learn new instruments from scratch because of the dual-instrumentation requirement. If you are a Euphonium player, for example, you will also have to learn the cello. But it's not as daunting as it may sound.

Each week is divided into 54 periods and as well as individual practise there will be tuition in the elements of music, history of music, aural training, orchestral instrument practice, band instrument practice, band (marching and playing) and choir practice.

Week by week your performance is carefully monitored, and at the end of each stage of the course - term 3, term 5 and term 8 - you must pass an exam consisting of aural, Elements, history of music and assessments on your instruments. In order to broaden your musical horizons during this phase of training you will have the opportunity to attend the opera, ballet and orchestral concerts in London.

The natural teamwork of musicians also extends to the playing field and most Wednesday afternoons you'll take part in a choice of sports activities. There will also be opportunities to try pursuits like sailing, climbing or canoeing during adventure training.

At the end of Term 8, you’ll almost be ready to join your first band as a fully-fledged Royal Marines Musician. You’ll have the choice of five bands in the Service, although we can’t guarantee you will get your first choice.

But it may not be the last you see of the School of Music. After a few years developing your professional skills and experience you may be back for further training hopefully promotion.