*
banner

Marines continue strong brass band links

The Royal Marines School of Music continues to attract talented young brass band players into its ranks...

Marines
  Isabella Newberry (left) and Simeon Johnson (right) are the latest recruits to become professional musicians

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

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


NYBBGB

National Youth Band sells out in Halifax

April 25 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain will be joined by the British Army Brass Band for a sell out concert in Halifax this weekend.


bRADOFRD

Bradford boost for Black Dyke Band

April 25 • The Yorkshire champion's involvement in Bradford's celebration as the UK City of Culture on Radio 2 has gained widespread plaudits.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Lt Col David Barringer MBE

BMus (Hons)
Conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd