Hopeful Bugler from the States

Oxide · Hopeful Bugler from the States

Hi!

My name is Steve Paxton. I'm planning on auditioning to the school of music in a couple years after finishing high school in the states. I got interested in the RMBS last year after my bandmaster and drum major at school (WO Phil Evans/DM Nigel Jackson) asked me if I would consider joining the bands service. Just thought I might come to the forums and see if I could get some advice from some more bandies and buglers.

Errol

Hi Oxide,
As a person who spent over 24 years in the Buglers branch, may I
say that you could not join a better outfit.
If you read through this forum, you will find that the humour and
banter between the buglers (bulgers) and the other serving or regular
band service personnel is second to none.
Please keep posting and it will be your gain.

Hornblower

Hi Oxide and well said Errol.

townsergeant

Hi Oxide!

I did 26 years as a Hornist in the RMBS and thoroughly recommend it.

I 'retired' 11 years ago and I know there have been several changes since then. I'm sure that some current serving Forumites will give you more info and advice.

Please give my best regards to Phil & Jacko.

Billy Walker

ZedHorn

oxide... speak to Nish on here.. he's just got in as a bulger... he'd be a helpful start!

welcome x

Apricot

Welcome Oxide

bootybandy

Welcome Di.
I myself spent a wee while in the RMB and if I had a choice today, I would make the same choice again. It was a time that I wil never forget as well as the friends and workmates. Do yourself a big favour and do try and make it. You will not regret one single moment.

MrJpig

Hi Mon

Welcome to the forum and remember the best advice is to listen to advice.

Oxide

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice. I hope one day I'll be able to post in threads like this from your side of the fence

Caretaker

Hello Oxide

Welcome to the forum and as Errol said, keep posting and good luck. You will be in good company.

admin

If you need any help, let us know, we'll do what we can

Jimbo

admin, that sounds a bit like - "slip me a few quid son, and i'll smooth the way for ya!"

although i'm sure it is not meant in that way

ZedHorn

d'oh Jimbo... it's cos we're talking Dollar not quid!

townsergeant

'Buck' up Jimbo!

Oxide

Now now, I would never bribe someone... (slips admin a fiver)

Wolfy

Ten Dollar! No Kissing!

townsergeant

Oxide

Quick question, whats the usual time frame between an audition and training? I finish high school around June of '09 and was wondering when I should start thinking about pieces for my audition.

P.S. My band at school is scheduled for a visit to the UK around early march, were staying at the H.M.S. Nelson and we were told we would get a chance to have sectionals with some bandies. Were currently working on the funds for the trip (need around 40,000 U.S. Dollars) Cant wait!

admin

You need to audition in the easter of 09 I'd say...

RAB

Oxide

I don't know if it's even going to be "sectionals" I was told that we would have the chance to "play" with some band members. None of us really know exactly whats going but I'm just hoping to get the chance to talk to some bulgers and get some tips/hints or clues on what I should expect for my audition. Hopefully we can actually get the money to go.

Aaron Aardvark

townsergeant

sticky blue

Hornblower

That's a big NO from me!!!

Oxide

Haha i see most of the humor around here resembles my own. So I am currently working on a few solos, I don't know if these names sound familiar to anyone, maybe a bugler would recognize them. I'm working on "Birkdale" and "Camberley Castle". I was planning on auditioning around November of '09.

RAB

Oxide

Haha those are only the 2 I'm curently working on, I probably won't even use them in the audition, I'm just learning as many solos as possible and getting my repertoire up so that I have a few good solos under my belt for when I go.

RAB

Oxide

I'm practicing almost 24/7, although I am getting kind of nervous about the bugling part, it's taking much longer than expected for me to actually get my hands on a bugle and get some hands on training so I've kinda been messing around with a trumpet blindly just trying to strengthen my lips and embouchure.

MrJpig

Hornblower

What's this 'bugle' you talk of Ox - sorry, Rusty - we in this forum revere the bulge in all it's 4/5 note glory (depending on the bulger's versatility).

You have 2 years? Go for it - it's taken me 36 years to master the horn.

(Oh, and I haven't...)

sticky blue

Hornblower

2nd Clarinet

Hello Oxide,

Thinking of joining the RMBS?

You couldn't make a better choice!

I've been there, seen it and done it along with the majority of other forum members on this site.

Auditions......? What do you need to know?

Well.........

To become a Musician in the RMBS...........

You will have to play a solo on the insrtument(s) of your choice and to a very high standard and sight reading will also be involved.

To become a Bugler.........

If you have two feet, can count to 5 without stopping to take a breath, and like hitting things..............well...........

You're in!

Hope this helps.......

Hornblower

Harsh...

sticky blue

I agree - very very hurtful

Oxide

Haha it looks like I'm in luck then.

Oxide

Another Question:

What kind of standardized testing does the RMSoM look at when you apply? Do they look at GPA and test scores from school? Basically i just want to know what kind of academic background they look at upon application if any.

Aaron Aardvark

2nd Clarinet

admin

All applicants undergo the written recruiting test at the Armed Forces Careers Office regardless of what you get at school. Certain qualifications are needed to progress for promotion (GCSE English and Maths for Warrant Officer) but you will take the basic test when you first join. You take the LANTERN Test on audition (Literacy And Numeracy Test for Entrants into the Royal Navy) and that is the benchmark so we know what standard you are. Those who don't get above a 3 will be required to do some school education once they join the Band Service.

Luckily, for mascots in the armed forces, there are no qualifications or tests for them otherwise they would be even more of an endangered species!!

2nd Clarinet

But, to become a Bulger, being able to count to 5 without using your fingers, does help.............

sticky blue

If we take our shoes and socks off we can count to twenty - so there

2nd Clarinet

That's only because they're numbered!

sticky blue

I can count to twenty one on a good day

RAB

2nd Clarinet

Oxide

Anyone know where I might be able to find some dots for some British bugle calls? I have a RM Corps of Drums handbook with loads of statics solo's and fanfares in it but it doesn't have any of the bugle calls. Thanks

admin

Didn't look very far for Bugle calls did you!

Oxide

Yet another question:
I was told that it may be possible for me to take my audition sometime in June this summer and I was wondering what would happen if I were to be accepted, as in how long I would have in between audition and the commencement of my tuition for the RMBS. For example if I passed my audition in June would it be possible for me to finish out my tuition in the states before starting my training at the RMSoM or would I be required to start training before then?

admin

You would probably be offered a start date of September 08 although you could probably ask for Easter 09.

Oxide

I know this is a stupid question but I couldn't find the answer on the site. Do the bass drummers come from the Buglers branch or the musicians branch

RAB

townsergeant

Kratos

This is a bit oak and dagger TS. I willow have to ash you to eloborate sycamore. I thought the sticks were always made from Deal?

MrJpig

Waaaaaaaaaaaaah Oh Kratos yew are such a stickler for things ligneous. Is that why you joined the copse??

RAB

Now I may be going out on a limb with yew lot, but the guy ashing the question may not twig our humour (not a type of tree) ..

So I'll try and be cedarish.. errr serious ....

The Bass Drummers are normally Bassoon/Oboe players, as these instruments are not carried by RMB's on the march..

So obviously they are part of the musicians' BRANCH....

Sorry. had to be done...

Kratos

At least yew twigged my Polis friend.

I am currently applying for a post in S.B. The only sticks I ever see in our job is the ones the dog handlers throw for their best mates......the dogs have rubber toys!

RAB

sticky blue

Oxide

I know I'm asking a whole lot of random questions but you guys have been really helpful so far...

I was just wondering what kind of snare solos I should be looking for, whether it be a solo that focuses on rudiments and just physical dexterity or something that sounds good and is a bit more pleasing to listen to. I'm just thinking about how I should go about choosing material for my audition.

RAB

admin

Rusty, ignore the Bass player ^^^^^^ they think piano is an instrument!
Have you got something that does all of them? Badgers Strutt is good if you can play it without a backing track. Badgers strutt has a bit of everything and is technical with just about all of the rudiments in there somewhere... and it is good to listen to as well.

RAB

admin

Rudimentary my dear bass player... said in a Sherlock Holmes way

Caretaker

RAB

admin

Oxide

Ask the aardvark, maybe he can ask some of his badger buddies...

2nd Clarinet

MrJpig

Well done SC...only took you 10 hours and 6 minutes

RAB

Oxide

Well I got all my audition dates set up. PT test, physical, entrance exam and all that this June and if all goes well there I'm signed up for the November audition. Needless to say I'm nervous already and have been running myself ragged trying to get in shape for June. Any advice to put my mind at ease would be appreciated hehe.

RAB