Hi there, thanks for your interest in the Corps of Army Music.

Yes, like all British Army soldiers we can be deployed on operations overseas. Our secondary role, in addition to our primary one which is music, is to support deployed Army medicine, but musicians can also deploy to provide musical support in operational theatres, either routinely to provide a morale boost for soldiers, or for a particular occasion like Christmas, or a Remembrance Service for example.

Musicians promote up the ranks just like the wider Army. The initial rank is Musician, and you could then progress to Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant and then Warrant Officer throughout your career based on your performance and potential as assessed annually by your line managers. At each level you take on more responsibility in addition to your day to day performances with the band, perhaps becoming a section leader for your instrument, or taking on an an administrative role to support the band's activities such as booking transport, running the music library, or planning musical training, dependent on your skills and interests. There are lots of different options. Each new level attracts more pay, starting at £20,000 per year for Musicians and rising to around £50,000 for the most senior Warrant Officers. There is also the opportunity to accelerate through the ranks quicker by being selected to undertake training become a Bandmaster, and you could even Commission and become an Officer either as a Director of Music or as a specialist in managing logistics, personnel or training later in your career.

In terms of the descant recorder we don't have options for this instrument to audition at the moment as it form part of the usual military band or string orchestra. Don't be disheartened though; I would encourage to you contact our engagement team any way to discuss your potential. Depending on your experience there is plenty of cross-over from the recorder to other wind instruments like the saxophone, flute and clarinet and they will be able to chat to you more in depth about this. For more information about joining please visit www.army.mod.uk/music and contact the team on CAMUSHQ-CET-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk.

Hope that helps, and let me know if you have any more questions.

24 March, 2020 17:52