Royal Corps of Army Music: Gibraltar Barracks, Minley, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9LP, UK Musician Training: HMS Nelson, Queen St, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3HH, UK

Programs

Initial Trade Training Course for musicians. Basic music training in performance on two instruments, harmony, aural training, orchestration, marching band. Band Sergeant Course. Studies in performance, theory, aural training, orchestration, music history, coaching techniques. Band Sergeant Major Course. Oriented to administration, advanced conducting. Bandmaster Course. Three years, leading to the award of a Bachelor of Arts (Music) degree from Kingston University. Advanced training in performance with some experience on all instruments.

The British Army has 30 bands and employs some 1100 musicians. Kneller Hall, established in 1857, up until August 2021, offered music training for serving members of the army who join as band musicians. Since August 2021 the headquarters of the Royal Corps of Army Music has located to Gibraltar Barracks in Minley, Surrey, while the initial program for trainee musicians has moved to the Royal Marines Band School in Portsmouth. Normal age of entry is 18, by audition, with performing standard at least Grade 7 level (Associated Board). Tuition is offered in all instruments of the symphonic wind band, strings, harp, guitar and voice, and in a variety of styles including classical, symphonic, operatic, jazz, swing, pop, light music, baroque and the like. The abbreviation ‘psm’ indicates ‘passed school of music’. Kneller Hall housed a military music museum with a collection of orchestral and band instruments from around the world. It has hosted student bandmasters from various countries and uses the same training schedules as for British students. As of August, 2021 the museum is in storage pending removal to a new location.

September 2022