Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the Royal Marines School of Music has continued to train and develop young instrumentalists in readiness for joining one of the five Royal Marines Bands.

Carefully following government guidance the trainee musicians and buglers have been restricted to HMS Nelson and local area of Portsmouth since the lockdown began.

Dedication and commitment

The dedication and commitment of the young musicians has meant that many have overcome not being able to travel to see friends or family back home since returning to work.

The trainees have also successfully adapted to alternative teaching methods which has seen them receive Zoom instrumental and theory lessons delivered by their respective professors.

Graduates

A Royal Marines School of Music spokesperson told 4BR: "For 16 trainees the last few months has been the final term of two years and eight months hard work. They will now graduate from the Royal Marines School of Music before joining one of the trained bands."

Two of the trainees graduating in August were former members of their local brass bands.

Brass band players

Musn Isabella Newberry, is a former cornet player of the Ripon City Brass and joined the band service in September in order to start a career as a professional musician the Royal Marines Band Service has to offer.

Meanwhile, Musn Simeon Johnson is a former cornet player of Skelmanthorpe Brass as well as the University of Huddersfield Brass Band. Simeon was keen to explore the opportunities to travel and enjoy sport on offer through the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

Both Isabella and Simeone are now looking forward to some well-earned leave and joining the RM bands in Scotland and Portsmouth in September.

On-line

The spokesperson added: "In normal circumstances August sees the Royal Marines School of Music perform their passing out parade which enables families and friends of those trainees graduating to celebrate their achievements.

Unfortunately, this has not been possible this year but the RMBS media team have worked tirelessly to stream the event to enable the families and friends the opportunity to witness the events online."

Two of the trainees graduating in August were former members of their local brass bandsRoyal Marines School of Music

Find out more

If you are a member of a brass band and have the appetite to enjoy and work hard at your music making for a living then you should consider what the Royal Marines Bands have to offer.

The RMBS can offer you the opportunity to train and perform as a full-time musician on full-time pay.

For further information please email careers@royalmarinesbands.co.uk