*
banner

Royal Navy launch competition

No strings attached as the Royal Navy are looking out for the next John Williams — with £2,000 on offer for the winner.

 

Think of Indiana Jones, Superman, or Star Wars and it's impossible not to start humming the tune to the film.

Now music buffs are being given the chance to compose their own movie soundtrack for some real action heroes.

Airborne achievements

Next year marks 100 years of Naval aviation and, as part of the celebrations for the Royal Navy's airborne achievements since 1909, a competition has been launched to find the next John Williams or John Barry.

This is going to be a unique opportunity for someone to make their musical debut on the world stage as the Royal Marines Band Service will perform and record the compositionorganisers

Open competition

Open to anyone of any age, there will be a prize of £2,000 for the winning symphonic wind band composition and it will be performed and recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall by the Massed Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines during the prestigious Mountbatten Festival of Music in February 2009.

How to enter

To enter, applicants can download the film footage at www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk Applications are to be submitted by 31 August 2008, with a hard copy score and full set of symphonic wind band parts to be received by 30 November 2008.

Without strings

"Symphonic windbands – essentially a band without strings – are in wide demand to play film and stage music. So this competition will be a dream come true for would-be composers", Warrant Officer Ian Davies, MBE, Royal Marines Band Service, one of the team who created the competition, told 4BR.

Imagination

"The film portrayal of real missions by the Royal Navy's most exciting aircraft really catches the imagination. We are looking for an original soundtrack that will match the stunning footage. This is going to be a unique opportunity for someone to make their musical debut on the world stage as the Royal Marines Band Service will perform and record the composition."

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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


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


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd