Friday, 26 February 2010
My Career
Currently I am a student at sixth form studying three A2 levels. Alongside sixth form, I have passed out to be a full time musician with the British Army. As an occupation currently, I am working with a TA band to keep up my stamina whilst at sixth form.
My Application
Whilst studying at present at a sixth form, I had applied to be a Military Musician at the end of my fifth year of secondary school.
I was referred to a local Army Careers Information Office (ACIO) to discuss what options I had to explore. Here I discussed all options open to me in the position I was applying.
As a passionate musician, my application was accepted and I was then sent to phase 1 of military training.
Phase 1 military training consists of basic military training learning to use weapons, presentation of uniform and personal space, getting fit and to learn further respect and discipline.
Phase 2 commences after completion of phase 1.
Phase 2 is the further musical training you need in order to be successful in a British Army band.
Your Phase 2 (trade) training takes place at the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall in Twickenham. During this time you will receive instrumental training from some of the world’s best teachers, before graduating and taking your place in one of the Army’s 22 bands. The Corps of Army Musics' training is renowned throughout the world, and civilian bodies accredit the majority of our courses. Here you will learn how to play in a professional environment upto 6 days per week, making new friends and gaining new qualifications on the way.
I was referred to a local Army Careers Information Office (ACIO) to discuss what options I had to explore. Here I discussed all options open to me in the position I was applying.
As a passionate musician, my application was accepted and I was then sent to phase 1 of military training.
Phase 1 military training consists of basic military training learning to use weapons, presentation of uniform and personal space, getting fit and to learn further respect and discipline.
Phase 2 commences after completion of phase 1.
Phase 2 is the further musical training you need in order to be successful in a British Army band.
Your Phase 2 (trade) training takes place at the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall in Twickenham. During this time you will receive instrumental training from some of the world’s best teachers, before graduating and taking your place in one of the Army’s 22 bands. The Corps of Army Musics' training is renowned throughout the world, and civilian bodies accredit the majority of our courses. Here you will learn how to play in a professional environment upto 6 days per week, making new friends and gaining new qualifications on the way.
My Action Towards a Career
My next step having looked at a 'Look at Life' course would be to choose my next step.
Having summed up that week as enjoyable, educational and informative, I had thought through my options of what career moves would suit me best.
My Options
Having been a musician for 10 years at this stage, I had experienced as many forms of musical occupation as I could find from options such as a pit musician (playing in a small band for musical theatre), lounge musician (playing with a small group of musicians in either local bars, hotel receptions and general meeting conferences), experienced musical life as a private music instructor and full band musician from Jazz and Big bands, Wind bands, Brass bands and Orchestras, I had come to make a decision and discussed my options with the help of my music teachers, careers advisors and my family, we had decided that the best career move for me would be to apply and enroll as an Army Musician once my studies had finished.
Having summed up that week as enjoyable, educational and informative, I had thought through my options of what career moves would suit me best.
My Options
Having been a musician for 10 years at this stage, I had experienced as many forms of musical occupation as I could find from options such as a pit musician (playing in a small band for musical theatre), lounge musician (playing with a small group of musicians in either local bars, hotel receptions and general meeting conferences), experienced musical life as a private music instructor and full band musician from Jazz and Big bands, Wind bands, Brass bands and Orchestras, I had come to make a decision and discussed my options with the help of my music teachers, careers advisors and my family, we had decided that the best career move for me would be to apply and enroll as an Army Musician once my studies had finished.
My Week of 'Look at Life'
My week of 'Look at Life' had involved looking at how military musicians lead their lives whilst at work.
It had involved looking at military aspects and musical aspects throughout the week, but mainly focusing on musical aspects.
Military Aspects
During the week i learnt about chemical warfare training also known as CBRN (chemical, biological, radio-active and nuclear) training. I was also put on a military training facility which was to help improve your targeting with weapons and to help train soldiers spotting a threat.
Musical Aspects
The main focus of the week was to show how an Army Musician lives their life whilst working as a regular. So throughout the week, the main focus was based around the musical aspects of the course.
The course involved full military band rehearsals, marching drills with and without instruments, musical groups which could breakdown from the full band and solo work.
The groups that break from the full band involve work that a professional session musician would expect. These groups could be hired out by the public to play at any ocassion from wedding receptions to just playing in a local bar.
(pictures taken from:)
www.army.mod.uk/music/corps-band/15785.aspx
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Why I Chose to follow the British Army career
My first decision for a career in the Army was in 2006 where I went on work experience with an Army Band from Preston.
I was set up the contact from the bandmaster e-mailing the school I was studying at whilst I was in my fourth year. The bandmaster contacted the head of music at the school asking if any of the music students are interested in a career in the British Army as a Musician.
I was introduced to the life of an Army Musician whilst on the work experience they had set up for me.
I was set up the contact from the bandmaster e-mailing the school I was studying at whilst I was in my fourth year. The bandmaster contacted the head of music at the school asking if any of the music students are interested in a career in the British Army as a Musician.
I was introduced to the life of an Army Musician whilst on the work experience they had set up for me.
An Introduction
My passion is something i have followed for many years. At first, my interest came from hearing from professional military bands.
I began as a musician at the age of 4 myself and seen my first performance from a military band performing 'Trooping the Colour' in the summer of 1996.
Now age 18, I am a training officer (bandmaster) in the British Army.
I began as a musician at the age of 4 myself and seen my first performance from a military band performing 'Trooping the Colour' in the summer of 1996.
Now age 18, I am a training officer (bandmaster) in the British Army.
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