RM Band Service Audition

Physical tests and gym test:

The physical tests will prove your ability to work hard and with enthusiasm. You don’t need to be superhuman; you’ll achieve peak fitness later on during training.

Aural test:

In a 40-minute written test, you’ll answer questions on musical intervals and pitch, write a simple four-bar melody from dictation and describe two cadences and define six triads as major or minor chords. You don’t need know everything there is to know about musical theory; we are looking for someone who we can train.

Individual Performance:

You will be expected to perform a chosen piece of music and a study on your instrument, all scales and arpeggios and finally a piece of sight reading provided.

Military training ‘acquaint’:

As the Royal Marines Band Service is primarily a military unit, you will eventually need to learn infantry skills and survival techniques. As part of this introduction, a weapon training instructor will show you some of the weapons that you’ll train to use.

Swimming assessment:

In the swimming pool, you’ll need to jump from the four-metre board, swim to the side, try to retrieve a brick from the deep end from a ‘duck’ dive, and swim two widths of the pool.

Individual interview:

This is your chance to tell officers and NCOs why you want to join the RMBS. Don’t feel intimidated. The questions are to find out about you as a person and musician, – not catch you out.

Dental examination:

As a brass or woodwind player, good dental health is essential.

Experience:

The week gives you an idea of what life is like in the RMBS: – what it’s like to wake at 6.30am, and what the music, meals and people are like. It’s your chance to ask teachers and students as many questions as you can think of, - so that you know everything you need to know. Does this sound good to you?