My Apologies

Hello to one and all. First may I start with a massive apology. It was my intention, at the start of my training to keep this blog up-to-date and not to let it slip into one of these things that's great to begin with, but actually ya lose interest in, or just don't update it for ages.

Well, I kinda let it slip into that. So here we go, back on the ball again, ready and raring to go.

The truth is, last term, to be quite honest was horrible. I didn't enjoy it, it was hard work and I didn't feel as though I was getting anywhere. It was frustrating, the troop weren't really gelling together in a lot of ways and my back was causing me a fair few problems. I didn't really fancy writing all that down in the blog. However, we've had Christmas leave, this term is a new start and I can assure you that I am loving the job once more. I genuinely enjoy the the training now. It's still flipping hard work, and of course you have weeks where maybe you don't make quite as much progress as you would like, but that's gonna happen wherever you are.

I'll talk you through an average week now that we are in the tick of Term 2. Monday morning kicks off with a 3 mile run, just to blow those weekend cobwebs away, after that its into work, we have an Aural class followed by a group bugle session, Drum Parade (A full on kit inspection by our instructors) then Drill, a spot of private practise before I then have a Bugle lesson with my professor. Tuesday's start with Training Parade Band, where we march around doing the whole marching band thing. This is the main time that the Drum Major has with us and so makes the most of the opportunity to gently encourage us and shape us to perfection (we are definately a long way off yet). Then its an elements class with the WO2 Bandmaster followed by Recreational Training (this week we'll be starting Close Quarters Combat). Wednesdays, myself and the 2 other Buglers in my troop have also been drafted to the senior Parade Band, so we march around for another hour and a bit then too. We've then got a bit more private practise as well as Harmony Lessons. The afternoon then is quite busy, with Corps of Drums Drill (just the Buglers, honing our skills to perfection), then group bugling and then drumming. Thursday is a quieter start, we roll into work at 0800 and kick off with private practise until our Musical Elements lesson at 0915. Then we have another Drill Spot followed by an afternoon of private practise and music Theory. Fridays start with more Phys, sometimes circuits, sometimes swimming, all chops and changes really. Then it's into work for private practise then music history. This week we were looking at Vivaldi and his Ritornella form etc. All very interesting stuff. Afternoons are good, it groups marches practice. As Buglers we have to know all the music for the marches in our heads, we don't carry any music with us, so Fridays we spend learning the new dots. Then, by 1520 we're done for the week. We all thin out and look forward to the weekend! YEY!!

This week has been especially good for one of the Buglers at the School of Music. Bugler Reilly passed his final B3 exam, and so has finished his training. Congratulations go to him and best of luck as he starts with Pompey Band Monday morning (Tomorrow).

As for me, I have my mid-term Parade assessment this Tuesday, so it'll be interesting to see how that goes.

That more or less brings you up to speed with how I'm doing for now. Once again, I'm sorry for my lack of updating, but I will endeavour to keep it up this time!

Bugging Out

Nathan