Your Cue

If you like the sound of a career in the Royal Marines Band Service and are between 16 and 33, the next step is up to you.

Talk it over with your parents and if you are keen, go and visit your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office. Or if you would prefer give our hotline a call - 08456 07 55 55.

During the interview process you will be set the Royal Navy Recruitment Test. If successful you will then be invited to attend the School of Music for five days of interviews, tests and auditions. The aim is to discover if you have the ability, potential and desire to become a Royal Marines Musician or Bugler. As well as knowledge of music, your fitness, health and teeth - especially important if you are a brass or woodwind player - will be checked. An aural test will show if you have natural musical aptitude. If you already play an instrument you clearly have a head start. However, many people play instruments for which they are not really suited. If this were your case you may be invited to take up other instruments, depending on vacancies. For example, you might audition as a trombonist and be offered a vacancy as a euphonium and violoncello player.

You will be informed of your audition results on completion of the audition week. If successful and you accept a place it will be worth trying to improve your physical fitness before you start your training in the April or September.

If you are under 16 and interested in joining the Royal Marines Band Service, give us a call anyway and concentrate on learning an instrument or a second instrument if you already play, then join a youth orchestra or band like the Sea Cadets or Boys' Brigade. This way, you will gain experience at performing and working with other musicians.