Inspection time for The Band and Bugles of The Rifles

Emma Peacock

My name is Emma Peacock, I’m an Army musician and I play flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. I have been here two years, after completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

 

Recruiting showcase

It has been quite a quiet time for the band recently so this has given us a lot of time to focus on individual music practice and lots of ensemble and sectional rehearsals, and to catch up with various administration tasks required to run a band.  My admin role is as recruiting assistant and we’ve managed to complete a lot of work recently.  We started off with a recruiting drive at ‘The Platform’ in Swindon.  Swindon Music Services were running a day of performance with many bands coming and showcasing their talent.  We set up a Band and Bugles stand and I spent the day in Ceremonial uniform speaking to many young musicians about The Corps of Army Music.  We managed to generate a lot of interest in Army Music.  It was also an enjoyable day for me as I spent it listening to some very talented youth music groups.

Additionally, we ran an Insight Day for 3 musicians who were interested in joining the British Army.  After picking them up from the train station and some introductions they joined us for a full band rehearsal.  They showed great ability and potential for joining the Corps.  After lunch we gave them a tour of camp to show them the sort of environment they might train, live and work in.  They were very surprised to see how nice the accommodation was and it helped break some common misconceptions about Army life.  That afternoon Musician Wood and myself gave a short recruiting presentation and then we held a question and answer session. Later on that day, one of the Insight Day participants even got up and played in front of all the Corps trainees during performance experience training.  All in all, it was a very good day and I think those who attended got a lot out of it, as well as enjoying themselves.

Perfecting the display

 

Group photo with Gen Sir Nick Parker

We’ve also had two very big inspections recently.  The first was the Colonel Commandant’s Annual Inspection.  This is a big deal for us, with General Sir Nick Parker taking the inspection, so a lot of time had gone into perfecting the marching band display.  To announce his arrival the massed Bugle Platoon and two Bugle courses played a fanfare, and after this was a group photo, followed by the presentation of the new Sounding Retreat.

As usual he enjoyed it but had a few comments to make and changes had to be done.  After this was the Bugle Competition.  The buglers had been tested already that morning on drill and turnout and the top ten were then picked to move on to play a bugle call, The Last Post and then Mechanised Infantry.  From this the top buglers were picked.  In first place came Lance Corporal G Merchant, in second was Rifleman R Loudon, and in third was Rifleman A Creighton.  Well done to all who took part!

Band and Bugles of The Rifles

Gangnam Style!

A week later was The Corps of Army Music inspection, which meant we were on the drill square again to present the new Sounding Retreat.  After this we were in the practice room for a new part of the inspection. For this the Principle Director of Music sat in a rehearsal to watch the development of a piece from sight reading to performance.  Both the Director of Music, Major Lawrence Sale, and Assistant Director of Music, Lieutenant Lauren Petriz-Watts, conducted a piece and they seemed to run smoothly enough, with the final results being very good.

We have supported a number of Pass Off Parades of late in Winchester and supplied musical support  for a boxing night at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.  The evening went very smoothly, with some very good bouts.  In between the first and second half we played some background music.  This included ‘Gangnam Style’!

Recently we travelled to sunny Exeter in Devon to play for a Homecoming Parade.  For us it was a little strange as it was a heavy paced march, so we hadn’t taken any buglers.  Consequently, the coach journey down was very quiet! There was a good crowd for the parade and then we were welcomed to the gathering afterwards where the town mayor spoke to a few members of the band.

A couple of days later we headed down to The Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham to be duty band for a few days.  This involved us being the band for student bandmasters to practice conducting with.  This is always a good, but challenging, experience as the student bandmasters are learning and the music is usually new to us!  A few members of the band also helped out the phase 2 trainees with their repertoire band and marching band.

Having recently been issued our new General Service Respirator (GSR) it was time to try them out.  Once we put them together and checked that the vacuum was sealed we went over the drills.  The new unit seems really good, however most of the members of the Band and Bugles struggled to get them on in time, especially while wearing the issued gloves.  When the practice was over it was time to do the real thing in the Respirator Testing Facility.  This is a glorified shed which fills up with CS gas! If we complete the drills correctly we don’t feel the effects of the gas, however, do something wrong and you come out with very tingly skin, eyes watering and snot running down your face!  Luckily the Band and Bugles all performed up to scratch and came out with no harm done.

 

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The bruises to prove it

Emma Peacock

My name is Emma Peacock, I’m an Army musician and I play flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. I have been here a year and a half now, after completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

Recording the CD

Finally, after about twenty hours of recording, The Band and Bugles of The Rifles new CD was completed!  Over a weekend The Salamanca Band and Bugles of The Rifles and The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles joined our regular band to record some of the highlights from last year’s Swift and Bold concert held in The Royal Albert Hall.  This took a lot of time but seemed to go well and hopefully the CD will be out for purchase later in the year.

The massed band preparing and warming up for the recording.

The next week we had some visitors to the band.  These were six 14-18 year olds who were on a ‘Look at Life’ course with us.  We showed them many aspects of band life, including a few full band sessions and a fitness session with Corporal Jessup.   We even managed to squeeze in a field craft session, taken by one of our bugle platoon.  They plastered their faces with cam cream and enjoyed the delights of a ration pack!  During the evenings we showed them the social side of band life.  One night this meant going bowling and another night Musician Wood and Musician Dwyer organised a very entertaining quiz.  Nevertheless, we still had to show them what the job entails, so took them on the road with us to Davis Street, London, for our annual Kings Royal Rifle Corps concert.  As always, this concert was really well received and the audience seemed interested to meet the next generation of musicians in the Corps of Army Music.

The day after the ‘Look at Life’ left us we all boarded minibuses.  However, for once we didn’t mind.  We were starting the long journey to Bavaria for adventurous training on Exercise Tiger Swift.  The trip started well, with our minibus driver, who shall remain nameless, stalling.  And, as per last year, we got lost again and this resulted in a lot of banter coming across the radio.  After eight hours on the road we stopped off overnight at Elmpt.  By that time our group were relieved to get out of the minibus as we’d had enough of Lance Corporal Barratt and Musician Wood singing!

Once we had arrived at the slopes we were assessed and separated into groups.  Those who had not skied before were left to learn how to put their skis on while the rest of us headed up the slope for some fun.  The first day went well with not too many falls; however our instructor, Tomo, liked doing jumps so I did manage to spend a little time face down in the snow!  We were staying in a lovely lodge in Ortwanger and in the evenings everyone met up for drinks in the little bar to catch up on the day’s activities.

Ski touring

The next day we returned to a slope that we tried last year.  I hadn’t had a very good experience there previously so was quite nervous, however after a couple of runs down felt a lot happier and like I had conquered a fear!  Our instructor decided that along with jumps, we would all ski on one leg.  This proved difficult as I have no centre of balance, however by the end of the week I could manage a few seconds.  Not only did we ski in Germany, but we made it across the border to Austria.  This was a lovely area with some beautiful scenery.  I was really pleased to be the only one in my group to get over a really bumpy area and make a jump!

On the first night of the trip Corporal Jessup’s red PTI belt had gone missing and throughout the week it seemed to appear everywhere on the slopes.  All groups (even his!) had it at some point.  He was starting to get suspicious of everyone and everywhere by the end of the week and when we all went out for dinner one evening after skiing he was even suspicious of the waitress.

The following day a large group went for a day’s ski touring.  This is the equivalent of walking up hill in skis.  I did this last year and was quite happy to not have to do it again this time around as I much prefer to go downhill.  When they came back they all seemed to have enjoyed themselves, yet a few were very relieved that it was over.  That evening Musn Dwyer and Musn Howes did a great quiz in the bar.  I actually learnt a few things, including that an octopus has three hearts!

The last day of skiing was upon us and we were all determined to make the most of the day. When we got to the top of the gondola however, we couldn’t see a thing as the clouds were so low.  This resulted in us getting a little lost and heading down a black slope with very little vision.  Thankfully we all made it down safe, despite a few people falling over and sliding down the length of slope on their bums!

Exercise Tiger Swift group photo.

With skiing now over the majority of the band and bugles now hold their SF2 qualification and are thoroughly exhausted!  While most of the unit were away skiing some decided not to go overseas and went to Wales where they did rock climbing, mountain biking, horse riding, go karting and kayaking.  Apparently they had good fun and the highlight of the trip was watching one of the Lance Corporals trying to get on to a horse which was much bigger than her while she couldn’t stop giggling!  Now we’ve returned to the unit we’re back to everyday life, but with a little more of an adventurous streak, and the bruises to prove it.

Musician Emma Peacock wrapped around a tree!

Marching to the sound of music

 

Emma Peacock

Musician Emma Peacock plays flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. She has been in the band for a year and a half, having completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

After returning from Germany it was a quick turnaround as we were off to the home of military music, Kneller Hall. We were there to do the Slow March Competition for a new Corps slow march. We spent the morning practising. It took a bit of time for us, a light paced band, to get used to slow marching again. There was a lot of wobbling but we got there eventually.

The winning march was composed by Warrant Officer Class One (Bandmaster) Greg Machin who currently works at HQ Army Music at Kneller Hall. We also had four boys join us for ‘Insight Course’ work experience, to see if they wanted to join the Corps of Army Music. They did everything we did, from playing in full band to a fun yet intense PT session. They also got to look around the Kneller Hall museum and get instrumental lessons from the professors.

It never rains on the Parade!

On the Wednesday night the Army Big Band were performing inside camp, a big event open to civilians. They had been practising all week; however it looked like it was going to rain on the open air concert. We were told that the wet weather plan was that The Band of The Rifles was to go out and play as we didn’t have electrics to get wet! Luckily the rain clouds stayed away and the concert went ahead. Our woodwind quintet played on the commandant’s lawn to entertain pre-concert and then the Army Big Band wowed for the rest of the night.

While we were in London we played at the Royal Hospital Chelsea for an annual engagement for Rifles officers. As we were doing the Sounding Retreat we could see the pensioners looking out of their windows and coming down to the garden to enjoy the display.

The next day we returned to Winchester barracks and performed at a TA Pass Off Parade. It was the last day the ‘Insight Course’ students were with us and so they joined us on the parade. They coped very well but looked very confused as the heavens opened on us and we didn’t move. I don’t think they were expecting us to stay out in the rain and finish the parade!

And the Band played on…

On Sunday we travelled to Aldershot to play at the Army Catering Corps church service. It was a nice service and was concluded with a short march. We did the same again the following week for the Royal Army Service Corps/Royal Corps of Transport Associations. Both of these were marched at heavy pace, something we’re not to use to doing!

Between the 2 jobs we travelled to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire the first day at the National Memorial Arboretum was brilliant sunshine as we played for a memorial service. HRH The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was attending, he socialised with the guests in a marquee where we were playing. He even came over to speak to the band! The next day we did another memorial service. This day was not so nice, with the ground boggy and the rain still falling. Unfortunately for the brass players they had to go out in it, but for us woodwind players we couldn’t as it would have ruined our instruments!

Some of The Massed Band and Bugles of The Rifles.

Back in Winchester it was The Royal Green Jackets association weekend and we did a short remembrance service for them, followed by a march around. It’s nice to see how proud the men are of their former regiments, and also of their new amalgamated regiment, The Rifles. After this we performed a Sounding Retreat.

The Cheltenham College Cricket Festival was our next engagement. Unfortunately this was a wash out, but we still played for guests in the Army Benevolent Fund VIP marquee. The Bandmaster was conducting this and had the audience laughing along to his bad jokes!

Freedom of Salamanca

The brass group have been away in Salamanca, Spain. They were there with a few buglers to play for the Freedom of Salamanca. Apparently they worked hard, but the rest of the Band and Bugles, left in wet and cold England, might dispute this!

The Saturday after Royal Green Jackets weekend we played for the ATR(W) Officers’ Mess Summer Party. It was marching band but as we didn’t have a lot of room so we played mainly statics. The Officers and their guests seemed to really enjoy the comical version of ‘The Huntsman’, played by Lance Corporal Duncombe, Musician Marsden and Musician May. They used a variety of instruments, including post horns, a watering can and a toilet!

Royal Albert Hall

This week we’ve been doing rehearsals in preparation for our Swift and Bold concert in the Royal Albert Hall on the 18^th October. This is a big event celebrating 200 years of Rifles history and supporting Care for Casualties, a Rifles appeal helping injured soldiers, their families and the families of the fallen. There will be nearly 300 musicians including: our band; two TA Rifles bands; two cadet bands; the Pipes of the Brigade of Gurkhas; the Rifles’ Fijian Choir; and the famous tenor, Wynne Evans. The night will be hosted by ex-war correspondent, Alistair Stewart. This week we’ve only had the two TA bands and the Pipes to rehearse with, however it’s been very productive. Our big finale piece is ‘Peninsula’, composed by Ian McElligott, a former Director of Music of The Light Division and we’ve been luckily enough to have him take a rehearsal. He got into all the little details of the piece and it’s improved dramatically.

The trombone section with Musician Bowden on bass trombone.

Our last job before leave was a ‘Pass Off’ Parade at Army Training Centre Pirbright.  This was an early morning start for us and then a rehearsal once we got there. The parade went really well and we got a good cheer at the end from the families and friends.

Strange to be marching through a field with rugby players warming up

Musician Emma Peacock.

Musician Emma Peacock plays flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. She has been in the band for a year and a half, having completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

A strange sight!

We’re now back off leave and have been flung straight back into work. Our first day we did a Pass Off Parade at ATFC Winchester. The rehearsals went well, with the troop commanders dressing up and keeping the troops entertained! However, on the real parade they weren’t quite so daring and wore their uniforms. There were four troops passing out and we played many pieces to keep the family and friends entertained during the inspection, including the old favourite “Sir John Moore” and the slightly more modern “Haven’t Met You Yet”.

That Sunday we travelled down to Ash Ranges in Pirbright for a TA shooting competition. When we arrived the soldiers were waiting for the appearance of the targets and then running to the firing points and throwing themselves to the ground to shoot. After they’d finished shooting we played some incidental music to pass the time while points were being counted. Playing the piccolo was hard work due to the amount of wind. Every time I tried to play a note the wind blew and counteracted my efforts! We then marched with the winners being carried on chairs. A strange sight, but tradition!

In our first week back we only spent one day in the band block. During this time we had a lot of admin to catch up on and full band to do. This was then put to the test when the new Commanding Officer of our camp, Lt Col N A P Wright MBE Scots, came for a visit that afternoon and we played “Malaguena”.

Happy families

On Wednesday we played for the Army Rugby Union finals in Aldershot. It was quite strange to be doing marching band through a field with the rugby players still doing their warm-ups around us! That evening we had the Band Serjeant Major’s leaving do. After 27 years in the army he’s leaving us and going on to do bigger and better things. This, of course, meant we had to give him a good send off with a few surprise guests, some embarrassing stories and gifts!

The following day, with a few people nursing hangovers, we got on the coach and travelled to ATR Bassingbourn for a Pass Off Parade the next morning. The accommodation left a lot to be desired, but it was only for one night! The next morning we had the rehearsal, and not to be outdone, the troop commanders dressed up here as well! The parade itself went without a hitch and there were many happy families watching their loved ones. As this was the BSM’s last job we had to play a joke on him and started playing a piece we knew he didn’t have! He saw the funny side and did very well in making up a part to fit.

The Band and Bugles marching around to entertain the troops and their families.

This week we’ve been catching up on admin tasks as the brass quintet have flown off to Saudi Arabia. While they’re away we’re back on the task of re-cataloguing the library. This mammoth job has lasted a while but we’re almost there!!! We’ve also had a lad join us on work experience for a Look at Life course. This means he gets to experience exactly what a military musician does to see if he wants the job! He’s experienced a full band session, a brass 10 piece rehearsal (with a bassoon and saxophone filling in parts) and a very competitive game of basketball. Hopefully it’s been a useful experience for him and we’ll be seeing him in a few years’ time passing out of his phase 2 training and joining a band himself!

I managed to ski straight into a tree

Musician Emma Peacock.

Musician Emma Peacock plays flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. She has been in the band for a year and a half, having completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

 

Naomi House children’s hospice

Over the past month we haven’t had to travel too far for engagements.  We’ve played for a boxing night and a Pass Off Parade on our camp.  The parade was a big deal for us as the Head of The Rifles and Commander Land Forces, General Sir Nick Parker, was the inspecting officer.

Like all soldiers every now and then we do military training so recently we were down on the ranges to take the Army Combat Marksman Test (ACMT).  We had a bit of time to get used to handling a weapon, thankfully everything went smoothly.

Our PTI had a treat for us on one of our physical training sessions as we did a session called Integrity 1000.  This involved 1000 repetitions of various exercises.  It was hard work and I was shattered after and definitely ached the next day!  That afternoon the woodwind quintet went to an engagement that was a bit different from normal.  We played at Naomi House, a children’s hospice.  The job was organised by Musn Hughes for her BTEC in Music for The Uniformed Public Services.  We played an arrangement of Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” and then played a few more pieces at the end, accompanied by the children, their families and carers banging on tambourines, rattles, and bells!

Skiing in Bavaria

But then it was time to travel…for adventurous training!  In total we travelled 2541 miles, just over 35 hours!  We went skiing in Bavaria and it was AMAZING!  The skiing itself was very hard.  I’ve been a few times before so was put in the advanced group, with the only other option at this time being beginner. The first run we did was red and was a shock to the system.  The first day definitely took me out of my comfort zone; which is what Adventure Training is all about!  After most days we went to a café or pub to catch up with the other group and see how everyone was progressing.

The next day everyone woke up really sore!  It was a great day for skiing and we all felt we progressed well.  The black run was a little steep though!  It was Musn Griffith’s birthday so she was presented with a delicious looking cake while in the café that afternoon and we celebrated that evening!

As our group was doing Ski Proficiency Level 2 we got to learn about avalanche reports.  Quite interesting, but a little scary!  That day’s skiing went really well and our group conquered a really difficult black run, as well as some jumps.

Off piste!

We also had the opportunity to try something different… touring.  It’s a type of uphill skiing, so that you can get to places normal skiers can’t.  You have “skins” attached to the bottom of your ski to stop you sliding backwards.  There’s a special sort of turn that you have to do, called a kick turn, but I wasn’t very good at it.  I ended up on my bum quite a few times!  Our plan was to tour up to a café and then ski back down.  It was hard work and it took us about two and a half hours to get up there…and when we did the place was shut!!!  Nonetheless we stopped for our packed lunch and took in the amazing views.

Our last day of skiing was upon us and we had the challenge of going off piste!  There was lots of falling over from everyone…including our instructor, and I managed to ski straight into a tree and cut my chin!  After our challenging morning we had a free ski that afternoon and along with Musn Thompson, I had a great time zooming down a few final slopes.

The skiing group surrounded by snow.

We had a very long journey back, this time completed in one day, and after one day off we were back in work, doing a long full band rehearsal.  This was in preparation for the week we’ve just had.

Funny fanfare

Our first engagament of the week was a Boxing night at The Royal Military Academy,Sandhurst.  The band played really well and I enjoyed the event.  The boxers and Officer Cadets all seemed to enjoy themselves too!  2 days later we were at Winchester Cathedral for the Mayor’s Charity Concert. The proceeds for this concert went towards three charities, including Care for Casualties.  The acoustics in the cathedral were great and the sound of the band boomed around.  It was a late night and then an early morning with a Pass Off Parade with 127 junior soldiers!

Our final engagement of the week before we went on leave was for the Commanding Officer’s Dine Out.  After some dinner music and a funny fanfare it was time for the after dinner entertainment.  Musn Neat and LCpl Phillips returned to us from their new band of The Adjutants General’s Corps to play “Time to Say Goodbye” and “Loves farewell”, a fitting tribute to the CO.

Back to school for the Director of Music

Musician Emma Peacock.

My name is Emma Peacock, I’m an Army musician and I play flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. I have been here a year and a half now, after completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

 

School workshop

Despite the cold weather the past few weeks, the band have still been out and about.  We did a few more rehearsals with the Band of the Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC) and this concluded in a School’s Workshop in Wolverhampton.  The Wolverhampton Music School was influential for the Director of Music of the AGC, Captain Johnson, as this is where he started playing when he was a boy.  The day seemed to be a success and increased awareness of having a career as a musician in the army. There were around 40 pupils involved (said like this as they weren’t that much younger than me!) and during the concert at the end of the day they all seemed to be enjoying themselves.

A school's workshop in Wolverhampton

Once in a while we try to do some sort of team building activity, or vary our sports afternoons.  Recently there was the opportunity to go clay pigeon shooting.  A few members of the band and bugles took up this offer and spent a very chilly afternoon having a great time.

A band member shooting clay pigeons

Slushy fields and obstacle courses

We have recently supported the Combined Cadet Force at Winchester College – a local job for us.  It was a VERY cold morning and there had just been the first light layer of snow the evening before.  However, by the morning the snow had gone but the field for the parade was waterlogged and slushy.  The parade still went ahead and some very brave cadets came out in the cold in their combat 95s (trousers and a shirt) to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Parade.  The crowd seemed to enjoy our rendition of ‘Soul Bossanova’ and ‘Royal Salute’, amongst others.

With our PTI, Corporal Jessup, returning from passing his CLM course (Command, Leadership, Management), one thing was inevitable: a PT session.  We did circuit training with an obstacle course involved too.  It was great fun and hard work.  However, we almost had a disaster when 6 ft 5 in Sergeant Rowcliffe went flying over one of the obstacles and into a bench! Next day he had a lovely bruise.

Big events

A big visit happed for us when the Brigade Commander, Brigadier Baverstock, came round.  The senior ranks had a meeting with him and then we played a couple of pieces to show him what we can do.  The Bugles came and we played the Sir John Moore Fanfare to show him the volume that they can produce. It is a spectacular sound and I think it blew the Commander away!  Then we played the more subdued ‘Amazing Grace’ by Frank Ticheli, a softer and atmospheric piece which I personally love.

Annually the Band and Bugles have a dinner night at the Sir John Moore Barracks Sergeants’ Mess.  This is our BIG event of the year.  Everyone was dressed to impress, with the ladies in stunning dresses and the men in dinner jackets and mess dress.  For quite a few younger members of the band it was their first experience of a dinner night, apart from the ones we play at, and a good time was had by all.  The food was lovely and the wine was flowing.  The party finished up at the band and bugles bar and went on into the night.

The CAMUS (Corps of Army Music) roadshow came to our area recently and delivered a brief to The Rifles Band and The AGC Band.  It was an insightful morning, with information on recruiting, postings and the future of CAMUS.

Our biggest job of the year so far came with a trip to Davies Street, London, for the annual King’s Royal Rifles Corps concert.  As usual, the crowd was very receptive and a pleasure to play for. We played all the usual favourites, including ‘Luftow’s Wild Hunt’, ‘Amporita Roca’ and, as always, ‘High on a Hill’ … twice!

Playing the kitchen sink, a toilet and a watering can

Musician Emma Peacock.

My name is Emma Peacock, I’m an Army musician and I play flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. I have been here a year and a half now, after completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

Sight reading and PTI

Since coming back to work we have been easing back into things quite steadily.  The first week the Bandmaster got out a lot of new music for us to practice our sight reading, a bit of a challenge to get the old grey matter working again!  As our first job was to be on the forth coming Friday, it was a good chance to see what was going to be put on the programme.  This was interspersed with some lovely PT sessions from our band PTI, one session resulting in us getting a little muddy on the back field!

Friday morning we had our first engagement, a Pass Off Parade at Pirbright.  For the rehearsal we marched around camp, leading the troops for their first march with a band. We played the RAF march as we went past Sandies, a cafe/welfare centre, as last time we were promised a free cup of tea each if we played it!  This promise was delivered when we had a short break between the rehearsal and the parade. 

During the inspection we performed a few pieces of music and a short marching display.  As usual when we played Zorba, where we get faster and faster (our accelerando), the crowd erupted in tremendous applause! The inspecting officer was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport and, as an ex-military man himself, he knew just how to speak to the troops, giving an interesting and well thought out speech.  He even remembered to thank the band.

Playing a radiator

Playing the kitchen sink

No time to rest after that though, as that evening it was The Sir John Moore Dinner Night at our barracks in Winchester.  As usual the dinner started with prayers, followed by a poem that was read by members of the Rifles Brigade and this was accompanied by soft and atmospheric music from us.  I think the night went down a treat, especially our unique version of the post horn piece, “The Huntsman”.  This featured Musician Baggott playing the post horn, Musician Marsden playing the kitchen sink, a toilet and a watering can and Musician May playing a radiator and then skilfully resuscitating a Basic Life Support (BLS) dummy by playing into it!  The evening was rounded off with a few of us in the bar, celebrating the night’s success.

This week we have had the tremendous task of re-cataloguing the music library.  This involves checking every piece of music has all the correct parts and then logging it into a new computer system. There has been a workforce of about 12 people all week and we’re still only about half way.

We have also had a joint rehearsal with the Band of the Adjutant General’s Corps in preparation for a School Music Workshop in Wolverhampton.  It was nice to have so many players together and as I’m currently the sole flute player in the Rifles Band it was nice to play with some other flutists.

Our last job of the week involved a woodwind quintet who had to travel to Birmingham and play at a dinner night.  It didn’t start off too well though as our transport got sent to the wrong camp, eventually turning up two and a half hours late.  To make matters worse we got stuck in a traffic jam for two hours on the M40, so when we arrived at the venue everyone was already sat down ready to eat!  Despite our late arrival I think we were appreciated and were thanked at the end of the night…and we got a really nice two course meal for dinner.

Run faster!

Musician Emma Peacock.

My name is Emma Peacock, I’m an Army musician and I play flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. I have been here a year and a half now, after completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

Values and standards

Wow, where to start, we’ve been so busy!  Before Christmas we had MATTs (Military Annual Training Test) week, which started with a PFA (Personal Fitness Assessment).  It was a cold morning for our biannual test and we smashed out our press-ups and sit-ups in the gym before running the mile and a half route.  Those who came in first shouted encouragement to the others still running (normally “RUN FASTER!”)!  That afternoon we completed another part of our training with a talk from the Padre about Values and Standards.  It turned into quite a discussion and was a good and informative afternoon.

Tuesday’s proceedings were going well and the band was on fire during full band!  However, this was rudely interrupted by the CDT (Compulsory Drugs Test) team who test all units within the Army at random intervals.  That afternoon was exciting for a few of us in the Band and Bugles as we were moving into new accommodation!  It’s called SLAM (Single Living Accommodation Modernisation) and means we now have our own rooms with en-suite bathrooms and a communal social room and kitchen.  We now live next door to work so there’s going to be no excuse if we’re ever late!

The next few days we continued with our normal musical training as well as a few more tests.  This included our WHT (Weapons Handling Test) which thankfully we all passed.

Accoustics were wonderful

Friday was the dreaded day of the week!  We had our AFT (Army Fitness Test), an 8-mile run with Bergen and weapons. Our band PTI, Corporal Jessop, took 2 groups out that morning, so did 16 miles overall!  I have no idea how he managed it!  We all passed, though it was emotional. After getting showered and changed we met up in the Band and Bugle Bar for leaving drinks for a few of the Buglers who are returning to Battalion and Sergeant Mepstead, who’s off to the Royal Military School of Music as a Foundation Course Supervisor.  At this time secret Santa presents were also handed out.  There were a few funny ones but it’s all in good humour!

While the majority of the Band and Bugles were resting on Saturday, the woodwind quintet travelled to theRoyal Naval College, Greenwich.  We were there for a job in the Painted Hall to say farewell to the British Services Antarctic Expedition.  It was set in a beautiful hall and the acoustics were wonderful to play in.

That week the band, minus buglers, went to Winchester Cathedral to play for the annual Garrison Carol Concert.  My favourite bit of the evening had to be at the end of the service when the prayers finished and our Bandmaster, WO1 Brydon, yelled in his best Noddy Holder voice, “It’s Christmas” and we started to play Slade’s “Merry Christmas Everyone”, completely stunning the congregation!

A festive scene.

Three-point turn

After a long drive the Band and Bugles arrived in Germany for a week of Christmas jobs.  The first couple of days only a couple of quintets were needed so it was quiet for the rest of us.  During the rest of the week we did many Christmas-related jobs.  There were Christingle services and carol services galore!  The bus journeys were interesting too, with our driver getting lost countless times, and having to take off the trailer to do a three-point turn.  This only seemed like a good idea until he tried to turn the fully loaded trailer round by hand! Luckily a few of our lads were kind enough to help him out with the heavy lifting!  The jobs were all worthwhile and we sent many soldiers away ready for the festive season.

Well that was all before Christmas so I hope you all had a very merry time, full of friends, family and laughs! We’re back at work now, ready and eager for the New Year to start!

Steady 120 beats per minute

Musician Emma Peacock.

Follow Musician Emma Peacock who plays flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. She has been in the band for a year and a half, having completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

 

Keeping fit

After a few days off on leave to rest and spend time with family, the Band and Bugles were back and ready to work again.  First thing thrown at us as we walked through the door was a mock PFA (Personal Fitness Assessment)!  Usually this consists of press-ups, sit-ups and a mile and a half timed run and, however today was just the run.  Feeling refreshed and invigorated after the morning exercise the band met together in the practice room for a welcome back brief from the Band Sergeant Major, WO2 Andrews. This was mainly to check that we were all ok, give us any news and update us on any upcoming jobs.  We then all caught up on some admin, whether this was in the library, the clothing or instrument stores or to do with the finance or running of the band.  That afternoon we did a rehearsal for full band, getting ourselves back in the musical mindset.

Wednesday was just a day in the office for us, an unusual occurrence.  Admin and individual instrument practice took place in the morning and sport and fitness training were in the afternoon.  For this many of us went to the gym and ‘got massive’.

Thursday morning the Band were outside ready for some fitness training.  However, this time it was a little different to our normal running or circuit training.  We were dressed ready in combats, boots and Burgens (a military backpack) for an OFT (Operational Fitness Test). This involved a mile and a half warm up jog and then another mile and a half best effort run, all timed and with weight on your backs.  Phew!  It was hard work and not what a “bandie” is used to, but great for keeping fit!  After this we had ensembles and individual instrument practice time.  Much of our time, in and out of work hours, is spent doing individual practice as we need to keep our skills up for our job.  While people were practicing, some unfortunate few were sent down the medical centre for Hepatitis B and the Influenza jabs.  Luckily, I didn’t have to go! That afternoon was spent doing full band rehearsals for an upcoming job.  We’re playing at a boxing event so we practiced such classics as ‘Rocky’ and ‘Eye of the Tiger’!

Last Post

We were up early the next morning as we had to travel to the Army Training Centre, Pirbright for a Pass Off Parade.  As it was the 11th of November we were minus the bugles as they were scattered round the country playing ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’.  We marched the troops round camp for their rehearsal at a steady 120 beats per minute, and then on to the square to continue a short rehearsal.  At 10.50 the band marched on to the square for a brief remembrance parade with the ‘Last Post’ sounded by Musician Lee Marsden.  The service was short but poignant as it was the trainee soldiers on parade with some of their families watching.  There was only about 15 minutes before we were back on the square, marching some very proud soldiers on for their Pass Off Parade.  Their necks were in the back of their collars as they marched with their families and friends cheering them on.

On Remembrance Sunday the band didn’t have to travel very far this year as we took part in a short parade through our local city centre,Winchester.  Again we were minus the buglers so marched at the more sedate pace of 120 bpm.  It was a nice day with a good turn out for such a small city.  It is good to know that despite this country’s difficult financial times and sometimes bad media portrayal, the country is behind the British Army, still remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. It is a great honour knowing that all round the country people were attending ceremonies like this one and meaning it when they say “We Will Remember Them”.

We marched with what seemed like over 200 troops on to the square

 

Musician Emma Peacock.

Follow Musician Emma Peacock who plays flute and piccolo in The Band and Bugles of The Rifles. She has been in the band for a year and a half, having completing Phase 1 training at ATR Pirbright and Phase 2 at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

Exam time

For three of us in the band this had been the week we had preparing for, for about 6 months now!  It’s Trade Employment Qualification (TEQ) 1 exams!  If passed this would make us fully qualified for our job.  There are three exams all together, the initial one, TEQ 3, taken to enable us to pass out of phase 2 training.  First in front of the examination board was Musician Nicola Dwyer on alto saxophone.  In next was Musician Chris Wood on clarinet, and then finally it was me on flute.  After an agonising wait I can happily announce that all three of us passed!

 After our exams we joined the rest of the Band and Bugles at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.  They had been there all day rehearsing for a presentation for the officer cadets. That evening a few of us let down our hair and went on a customary trip for dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet down the road. Definitely a welcome meal after a hard day’s work.

The next morning, with some very full stomachs, the band delivered the introduction to military music presentation.  It informed the officer cadets of the historical background to military bands and was an overview of present bands, including our contemporary band The Stripes!  It featured Musician Willis Neat on vocals, Musician Chris Wood on keyboard, LCpl Martin Slater on bass, Lance Corporal Craig Phillips on guitar and in charge of the group was Corporal Nathan Jessup on drums. The band managed to get the officer cadets up on their feet dancing and singing along, but only after being given permission.

After that the band marched the officer cadets to the Old College Parade Square to practice for the Old College Sunday Parade.  This was followed by a church band rehearsal for the Sunday service at the Royal Memorial Chapel.  It was a busy day!

The Stripes perform at the Halloween-themed party

Proud families and friends

Bright and early the next morning (5.45am to be precise) a few of us boarded the coach and were back off to Kneller Hall.  Ensembles and full band were completed, but the big event was the mid-term inspection Thursday morning.  Uniforms were pressed, shoes bulled (highly polished), instruments shined and we all waited ready at the side of the square to marching on.  The inspection was followed by a brief marching band display and all went well.

That evening the foundation course celebrated with a Halloween themed party featuring The Stripes!  They played many numbers including one spontaneous duet with a merry member of the foundation course! Musician Willis Neat was definitely on form and worked the crowed well.  The foundation course enjoyed their evening and carried on partying as we packed up our kit and got on the coach, finally returned back to the band block in the early hours of the morning. Luckily, we could have a lie in as we had a couple of days off!

Sunday morning we were back at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, to give musical support to the officer cadets for the Old College Sunday Parade.  Minus the bugles, we marched with what seemed like over 200 troops onto the square, in front of their proud family and friends.  It was an opportunity for the officer cadets to feel proud of their achievements so far and for the guests to catch up with their loved ones.  After a few photos we then marched round to the Royal Memorial Chapel for a service.  Now the band is back on the coach on our way back to Winchester to start a week’s leave!  It feels like a well deserved week off…. Time to catch up with our own families.