Inside the Band School | Documentary | Joining The Bands of HM Royal Marines

This documentary follows three hopeful musicians competing for a place to join the world's finest Bands of HM Royal Marines.
Please note some elements of this audition have changed since filming. To find out more, and to get an up to date audition schedule, please email [e-mail]
Filmed pre-covid.
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[@creativeinspiration5672]

I remember my time at the school of music like it was yesterday, such an amazing time and a career with memories i still treasure - if i could go back and be 18 again and do it all over - i would!! - thanks to this job i travelled the world and played in some amazing venues, in front of heads of state, royals and of course the public.......i hope this youngsters make the most of their opportunity

[@messiah2895]

I never played an instrument before Can I still join?

[@frikartii]

As a retired Royal Marine Commando, I'll say this, neither I nor my oppos were ever lovers of marching, parades or anything along those lines, Royal just doesn't do that stuff outside of C.T.C.R.M. However, when we do have to do those duties, marching behind our awesome band is hoofin', they're a credit to the Corps. Good luck to each of you from this short insight vid and all those who join up with you. Per Mare Per Terram.

[@ianredpath8359]

As ex RAF I am in awe of them. Bless them all!

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

Written , directed and filmed by a corporal. Excellent professional work.

[@Pinky_Staines1947]

Corporals can do anything

[@hoorooblu]

Looked like BBC. Well done to the BdCpl writer director producer leader

[@amazingtazz1579]

Ranks is nothing more than a military way to put people in a category. It says nothing at all about there qualities and capabilities, it just shows how long they have been in military school.

[@JamesDunlopDiscovers]

Thank you!

[@JammyDodger45]

I was a Royal Marine Commando for 18yrs ... and I learned more about Bandies from this video than in all my service!

[@vossalaftmick6612]

How true Jammy, me to

[@mongoose621]

Odd bunch. But in a good way

[@JammyDodger45]

⁠@@reilly-vc1rm- like their motivation. The assessment they go through. The professional standard they need to attain just to get through the assessment. Things I'd never thought to a ask a Bandie.

[@donalddodson7365]

Wonderful to see the rigorous process to select recruits. As a retired oboist I have great empathy for the two offered their dreams come true, however, with the switch to oboe. I served as a U. S. Army Bandsman 1968-1971. I auditioned around the School of Music, and after Basic Combat Training was assigned to a direct On the Job Training (OJT) slot at the 433rd Army Band, Ft. Irwin, CA. I served with the 433rd, 4th Infantry Division HHC & Band in Vietnam, and the 36th Army Band, Ft. Huachuca, AZ. I can see why the Royal Marine Bands have such tremendous quality. Well done, all. Thank you.

[@patlyons1225]

Hope this is a series! Not only do I want to follow the progress of these fine men and women, I want to see more of what makes the Royal Marines Band THE very best. Wonderful stuff!

[@davidharris4062]

Would make a really good series

[@chrisbaggieboy5656]

As an ex 3 RGJ musician my process of joining my band was no where near as selective as the Royal Marines but they are at the very top of their game when it comes to military bands. Thank you for the upload excellent watch.

[@mackan-kf4tg]

Marched to a Royal Marine band most mornings for many months at HMS Ganges, then served with them on the Yacht. One bandy we had on the Yacht was proficient on 4 different instruments, including the violin!!! Superb musicians👍🏻I don’t know how true it is but I was told recently that one of the top harpists in the world is now a RM bandsman!! That just shows the calibre of musician that they have👍🏻👍🏻

[@rodfair5698]

Congratulations and best wishes to the three of them. Congratulations also to the Royal Marine Band Service for keeping the standards.

[@mathbrown9099]

As an accomplished musician and high school band director for many years this was so interesting to see. I thank your producers and crew for such innocence coming into the cameras. Blessings to all.

[@CompleteCommando]

As a Royal Marine I found this really interesting. You don't really know much about the band service from our side, but they do a great job and make us look great on ceremonial duties. Thanks for the video!

[@TheBandsofHMRoyalMarines]

Cheers Sam. All part of the same fantastic Corps, and we all know the mutual respect is there!

[@odd_shoes]

@@TheBandsofHMRoyalMarines What's the piece of music called at the 10 minute mark?

[@jigler]

@@odd_shoes Root Beer Rag

[@liabrindley1198]

@@odd_shoes A Life on the Ocean wave

[@enfieldnelly]

Retired Canadian service fella here (Army, and RCMP), and my wife (Who I met in high school band) still teaches music in the public school system. Like so many already commenting, we really hope that this turns into a serial publication, following these applicants to RM Band.

[@jimjoelliejack]

I remember going to concerts performance of the RM band With my father in the 70s, I loved them, I ended up serving in the Royal Marines as a bootneck in the late 70s early 80s. Getting drummed back into CTC after the 9 miler made the hair stand up on the back of my neck, best band in the world, great to see such talented driven enthusiastic youngsters.🇬🇧👍

[@benvaughan9545]

Really enjoyable watch, well done all and especially Emily who I have been fortunate enough to hear playing live!

[@robertfarrow9089]

Excellent very well produced. A great career in a fine band service . Thank you.

[@chrisparry-davies6556]

I served in the British Army for 24 years and had the honour of seeing the Royal Marines perform in Hong Kong. I knew the Band was good, but only recently have I discovered via KZbin just how incredibly good they actually are. Watching late into the night it has been a real eye opening experience and wonderful pleasure to listen to such fine musicians. It is one of those occasions in life when you do realise you can never stop learning and watching this excellent documentary has been one. Over 71 years my musical tastes are somewhat broad - ranging from Leonard Cohen, through Meatloaf to Hans Zimmer. Now I have to add the Bands of the Royal Marines. Oh! The recent performance of Bands of Brothers was exceptional.

[@dwhip49]

Nice insight into that process. I was touched by the look of joy on Emily's face those first few seconds after the Major said "congratulations" Best of luck to them all.

[@LDrumsOhio]

Really enjoyed this video. I'm a US Army Bandsmen for ten years.

[@nigelbradshaw8266]

This brought a tear to my eye, so happy for those youngsters

[@v.britton4445]

So excellent ! No wonder the bands are so fantastic.

[@v.britton4445]

Just like in ballet, early correct training is critical, bad habits can persist. I admire these musicians.

[@deplorabled1695]

This is truly wonderful ,ore content like this please.... those kids are lovely!

[@barryalexander2909]

Thanks for posting. Excellent video. I had a great military career, but having watched this, have a slight regret at not going down the musician route. BZ to the successful candidates and best wishes for long and successful careers.

[@johncullinan8041]

Brilliant video and good to sea such great young people joining the service

[@jimrichards3916]

Excellent video, really enjoyed it. Well done to those who passed the test.

[@sprre3899]

I remember watching the RM band practice in the band shed at RM School of Music, Deal. I was a cadet, but I used to sneak into the shed and watch them. I was never told off or told to get out. Just loved watching them play. Best military band n the World. ❤

[@user-kt1ks9yp1j]

I wish they were still in Deal it was sad to see them go from the area, I remember the bombings which are still talked about. Good luck to all the aspirants! Not just musicians but fully fledged soldiers too

[@sprre3899]

@@user-kt1ks9yp1j I fell in love with Deal. I’m from Liverpool but spent to annual camps there with the marine cadets. Fond memories and that is what probably propelled me to join the forces in the end. I remember going to the cook house at deal barracks for dinner one day, I was wearing a t shirt that said on the front, god is airborne with a big parachute regiment printed badge. Obviously the marines bandsmen and commando staff were giving me pissed off looks. Then I turned around and it said on the back, but he failed the commando course with the Royal Marines badge lol. They all wanted that top off me ha ha. I’ve been back a few times since the early 90s. I went back about two or 3 years ago. I got talking to a guy that had just got the drum major pub back up and running after it was called the Cambridge or something. He seemed a decent bloke that wanted to reopen it as it used to be.

[@madmeerkat1158]

Royal Marines-BEST in the world.

[@brendanhorley9181]

you mean the paras😉

[@cameronk4582]

Very uplifting, way to go. Enjoyed this video. Thank you!

[@TobyDawes]

Great insight into the audition process. Thank you for sharing.

[@ilTroubadori]

Best thing I ever did was join The Royal Marines Band Service at 16 years old..great video, thanks 😊

[@colinsmith6116]

It is ALWAYS great to see young people have their dreams fulfilled. Well done.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

I quite enjoy watching the RM Band perform at the tattoos, retreats... This was a great look into the inside of it all

[@ukredman]

Brillant video and some very talented musicians. Royal Marine Band is the best in the world!

[@JDrumnavy]

This was great fun to watch. I was in the US Navy Band (Fleet) for 20 years. We also have the Washington DC special unit military bands but as a Fleet musician the tour of duty is a little different. Our audition process is a bit different. We have to qualify through a military recruiter before an audition. As a drummer my audition lasted about 3 hours (snare drum, drum set, mallets). The audition is on the instrument we would have already studied on at an university level and so would be the instrument we would play in a military band. Wind instruments sometimes ”double” on another wind instrument but we all have to pass on our main instrument. Takes a few weeks to know if we pass and then are assigned a date to go to boot camp (Navy, Army or Marines depending on the service you choose). After that they send us to the Armed Forces School of Music for about 6-7 months of study and then we are assigned a duty station. I was sent to the following- Navy Band Orlando (Orlando FL), Seventh Fleet Band (Japan), Navy Band Mid-South (Memphis TN), Atlantic Fleet Band (Norfolk VA), Navy Band Northeast (Newport RI) and Navy Band New Orleans (New Orleans LA).

[@peterharrison5833]

JT--I'm with you. Started out in the U.S. Army Bands. Did 6 in the Army a n d 21 in the AF bands for 27 years total. Boot at Ft. Leonard Wood, SOM, First Army @ Ft. Meade and then three @ the CinCSouth Band in Naples. AF assignments at Pease, Hanscom, Japan, and Texas. It was definitely over way too quick. I love this video and wish all the Royal Marine Bandsmen all the best in their careers.

[@adrianmcgachie]

@@peterharrison5833 and to JTR, really interesting to hear the different recruitment process, but great too that the importance of music to tradition, celebration and remembrance is equally valued. And also, as with HM Marines Bands, some really great concerts and repertoires, to boot!

[@peterharrison5833]

@@adrianmcgachie Thanks!

[@BARUCHIAN99]

I’m glad and happy all the three main candidates are offer a spot in the royal marine band!!👏👏👏👏👏

[@pauljenkins6168]

Have always enjoyed listening to her majesty’s band of the Royal Marines even though I served in the army always thought they where one step ahead in class , great insight to what they have to go though top class , also proud my nephew served with the rm for 22yrs

[@camperp195]

Outstanding! Well done to all,so proud ✊

[@Ann-qf5vk]

Brilliant vudeo Thank you

[@cliveking9775]

Great informative video. I do hope we get to follow these guys

[@robertkelly6751]

Thanks a brilliant insight into the band service.

[@PhreddCrintt]

As a retired RAF Veteran and a regular attendee of the Mountbatten Festival of Music concerts, I found this both amazing and endearing. I commend all that apply, attend and endure the process involved to be firstly - a member of His Majesty's Armed Forces and secondly, a master musician capable of capturing a person's heart and feelings through the medium of Music. (Did I mention I am still a member of a respected Rock Band (albeit now non-professional) even at the age of 75? 😊

[@Hal-zf4fv]

Fantastic. To see those young people making so much effort and getting awarded a place on arguably one of the best military bands ever. And I really hope those that weren't successful try again.

[@hudsoncampos5976]

Excellent video. Thank you very much. 👏🏽👏🏽🌹🌷

[@johncooper6413]

Superb video! So impressed by the talent and determination of the young people. Not surprised the selection is rigorous and the training lengthy: just watch an RM band at work!

[@philnewby4802]

Good programme and good luck to them all.

[@Bazookatone1]

I love the bit about how they are auditioned with an instrument they don't play "I see you've brought your flute, that's great, first though, we're going to try you on something different." "Like an oboe?" "Ah, let's mix things up, here's a double bass, give it a whirl!" I did violin lessons for 14 years, that I never really liked (even played in some amateur orchestras, which I also didn't much like), and the thought of joining the marines, doing all the physical stuff and the uniform stuff and also having to do hours of music practice every day.........I truly cannot think of a more perfect Hell.

[@davidhumphreys7035]

I'm ex RAF, very proud of my service and the RAF, but i don't think there's a better military band than the Royal Marines Band Service.

[@JohnSmith-qq8ok]

agreed. i'm ex RAF as well.

[@marknorville9827]

You fooking traitor, the RAF band is just as good.

[@JohnSmith-qq8ok]

@@marknorville9827 lol. not in my opinion or Mr Humphrey's either. I'm very proud of being in the RAF.

[@jimjoelliejack]

My father was in the RAF band, he played the trombone, he never took me to see the central RAF band but always the Royals instead. Thanks to him I ended up as as bootneck.🇬🇧

[@iffa70]

I applied for all services, my friends in the RAF central band recommended the Rm, my Bandmasters in the Army told me to join the Marines first, they were not wrong!! Great Band and musicians!!

[@elegantinfusions]

BZ to all of them, always proud to March behind the bandies, they are the best.

[@adrianmcgachie]

I like that the officers and training staff really do seem to take real care of the recruits. Good luck, all!

[@tomotoole8589]

Was in the RM Band from 1952, used to be accepted at the age of 14 went to Deal where the School of Music was in those days, very few had played a musical instrument and you were trained from scratch. Heaps of parade ground work, Discipline, and practice , practice ,practice. After two and half years we were as good as the military bands from other regiments, played a various events, then graduated into the full band at 17 and a half.

[@peternotarfrancesco2614]

When was the RM school moved to Portsmouth? I had the honor of visiting HM Dockyard in the early 1970’s onboard The USS Farragut (DLG-6) I do not remember being told that the school was there. I was mid level NCO at the time Electronics Technician 2nd class Petty Officer pay grade E-6 but I was qualified for USNAVY DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS ON A BARITONE HORN. So I could Have appreciated watching a graduation if timely.

[@tomotoole8589]

@@peternotarfrancesco2614 1996 they moved to Portsmouth. One thing not mentioned was that in the 1950s we were recruited at 14 years of age with no knowledge of music and done 5 years in the boys wing and graduated to the men's band at 17 .6 years. The boys band was extremely talented after that time of constant practice both parade ground and music lessons. We performed at numerous Tattoos and other functions and were on a par with military bands of established army regiments. I studied 3 instruments, clarinet, sax, and violin, sax my favourite. Hope this helps.

[@colin10ten83]

Very interesting film. Interesting to see how much has to be put in, to become a musician in what is probably the finest Military Music Corps.

[@MrDibs9989]

As a ex guards corps of drums member this was outstanding insight ,thank you

[@phil-zz5hk]

hi shaun . i am ex welsh guards corps of drums . back in the 70s . i also had the honour of spending 2 weeks in the marines school of music in deal kent . they are incredible . their training is unbelievably hard . everything is perfection . i was drummer bugler .

[@translunar1]

Really enjoyed that. Thank you,

[@Drummer2020]

I had a great career in the RM Band, played around the world and even went to the Falklands war. Good luck to these fresh talented young people.

[@vossalaftmick6612]

Most know Gas Halsey then. Respect too you mate

[@Drummer2020]

@@vossalaftmick6612 yes know Gaz, but seldom played together except massed bands.

[@Drummer2020]

Just writing a book about the RM Bands in the Falklands and just yesterday wrote gaz's name

[@vossalaftmick6612]

@@Drummer2020 Thats going to be a good read. I was in Marine cadets with Gaz in Hull, joined up same time, I went ML´s though. I see him occasionally and his character has not changed.

[@Drummer2020]

@@vossalaftmick6612 book is called the band that went to war, and shouldmbe out bynthe summer. Just realised my name is not showingmjust crumpled, i am Brian Short. Imhave amcouple of,ML s take part in a panto,each year, Phil Rashbrook ?

[@jamesclarke5071]

Surprisingly good video, very interesting 👍

[@Andrew.Stuart]

Very entertaining, I wish them well.

[@holmansalazarcallejas6416]

Cool it , Thank you for your videos

[@Ann-qf5vk]

Wonderful young people including those who maybe didn't succeed this time. I have so much respect for them all.

[@johnneal3367]

I hope that we can follow the careers of these people

[@deniseshephard3347]

I’m very moved by the talent these youngsters have I wish them all the best for the future

[@Domylaou]

Merci beaucoup pour cette belle découverte ...

[@Freebird67]

Very interesting and enjoyable thank you

[@williamwilde9867]

Great video please make more 👍

[@JohnR3214]

On 6 August 2022, I attended the School of Music’s Passing Out concert at Guildhall in Portsmouth. Had a nice chat with Jess Brock, the drummer with braids in the video. She is now in the band in Scotland as a member of the Corps of Drums. She learned the bugle from scratch. Impressive young lady. Didn’t get a chance to talk to Adriana or Jack but both are playing Oboe in the concert band.

[@ShaheenKhan-xw3we]

The entire Riyal Armed Forces are Amazingly Great 👍. The best in the world. Like your Monarch and the Royals.

[@chong2389]

New respect for a classmate at university who was a drummer in HM Royal Marines.

[@jacobkeppler1984]

This is cool video thanks for post it

[@ujjwalbomzontamang7346]

CONGRATULATIONS...!

[@bazra19]

What the average military person does not take on board is a musician is a highly skilled person, playing a wind instrument as you march takes coordination and dedication, they deserve more credit than they are generally given.

[@brettread6373]

Funny as a Ex Marine l always loved marching behind the band l never had anything but admiration for them

[@davidharris4062]

Would be a good idea if someone like Chris Terrill could do a TV series, following bandsmen from start to finishing their training and deployment to one of the RM’s band

[@iggyortful]

Very interesting and informative. Greetings from an American Paratrooper who loves music 🎶 and once played the saxophone 🎷.

[@alanholck7995]

In the military, many things are difficult, esp as a recruit. There are days that will, frankly, suck. To succeed & thrive, you need to Embrace the Suck.

[@franktoledo6342]

3 years to Train with respect from the States.

[@peterpluim7912]

I was surprised about the age and the skill of the candidates. In Belgium, we have three military bands and they are filled with first and second prizes from the two musical universities in Belgium. Musician first, soldier tenth :) .

[@RivendellStudioUK]

Fantastic documentary. Are there more episodes following on?

[@robbicu]

I hope Jack embraces the oboe. I think he'll do well with the challenges!

[@kingmaker2865]

Can always hear the practice racket around Nelson from them in their little prison block 😅👌

[@jameskellard5075]

Is this going to be part of a series following them through training? If so I look forward to it. I'm very interested in seeing how they handle CTCRM Lympstone and how it differs from Commando Phase I training

[@M17_Max]

Yeah, they don't look like the typical marines recruits. Then again don't judge a book I guess

[@gaz1549]

That's one things all need to be prepared for as well as musical ability. When I joned the Army there was no difference at all in my basic training and ability, and I had to pass out the same as everyone else - and I was eventually deployed. I really enjoyed it though. Now I'm a bit older etc, I miss that from the day. If I could do it all again I'd consider the Marines!

[@andy70d35]

Hope there can be a fallow up to this to see how the candidates progress to the ultimate conclusion, of training and joining the Band of the Royal Marines on parade or even at The Mountbatten Festival Of Music.

[@exmoorfarmer4880]

One of the finest military bands in the world - err no its THE FINEST BY FAR.

[@adammcneill8262]

I honestly thought they were all soldiers of various ranks, you live and learn well done...

[@blackfoot7925]

I don't know why I was so nervous, I'm 3500 miles away and I'm not even applying for a position, good luck to the candidates.

[@catherinechalaye9778]

Dommage que l'on ne peut pas avoir la traduction en français. J'aimerais savoir si c'est possible de traduire ? Merci pour ce beau reportage. J'adore votre orchestre.

[@michaelmulligan0]

This is really interesting

[@dandrakenholt5455]

Feelgood video!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@beagle7622]

I saw Colonel Bogie at Bristol on YouTub. l found it was brilliant stuff . The Portsmouth area.

[@Classic80sFanboy]

Major Williams was my last boss. I knew him as a trainee. I was in my last term, he was in his first. Never met a nicer person, and he deserves everything he has today.

[@MRIRISHLAD]

Do we have any more episodes of this?

[@historex54tamiya]

Never treated as a job! It was a career that did me well for 24 years!

[@davidharris4062]

My cousin Edward played the trombone in the band for 30 years, did his training in Deal, joined in 1965 I think, did RTW on Hermes, was based at Daedalus when I was a teenager, then Plymouth when Daedalus closed, all I can remember was drunk bandsmen turning up at my aunts at all hours, he retired from the RM’s, busked and played pubs for five years, then the job centre found him a job with the Devon & Dorset TA band, he told me was like Dads Army, all 60+ ex military, the frightening thing to him was they could have been sent to Afghanistan

[@alangoodger6614]

My ,hasn't changed .I joined the Royalmarines School of music Deal in 1951 as a bugler ..The training then wasn't as intensive as is today .. However . Aridginially applied to join the RN ; However was told i had a hieght of 6ft 3ins tall & would be better off in the RM .So landed up a R.M. bugler ..under a Bugle major Wagstaff ..How ever transferred to the RN . Had to come out of that as i was 3yrs to 8yrs old during the Blitz & unfortunately missed out on schooling as most of the time in Shelters ; I did 3years between the RM n RN.. & landed up as a Combat Engineer , come welder . With the Corps of Royal Engineers for 12 yrs .. but st say the RM band is the best band ,& Always listened to the RM Band ever since at 86yrs old ...& may they prosper ..

[@h7283]

The bandies weren't as pretty in the 70s,when I served. Really enjoyed this.

[@alantoon5708]

And in the U.S. Army the school is 10 weeks. However, one now has to have at least a music related 4-year degree to be competitive. A well done video. By the way, my audition was the day Elvis Presley died, 16 August 1977....

[@Jigaboo123456]

Alan Toon: The US army Field Band are absolutely superb, as are the US Navy Band. You Yanks put the pzazz into military bands when you put Major Glenn Millar in charge.of The USAAF band, and other bands evenually followed suit- no doubt about it! Answer me this, please? On the day of your audition, was any mention made of the musicianship of the former 3rd Amroured Div , soldier who had passed away on that day?

[@StarCheckTikTok]

good luck to HM

[@andrewjohnson9250]

Would love to get an update on how the three are doing

[@mjspice100]

I would be interested to learn more about the officers. Do they enter directly as officers or do they start as marines and work their way up? If they enter directly how does their training work? What is their role in the scheme of things with the band?

[@christopherbrown3695]

I hope you will follow the training and careers of these three please?

[@tomgreene2282]

Would someone with grade V11 , Associated Board have a chance?

[@jackmallett2931]

Is this a BBC Documentary? A RM documentary? It's almost midnight and I want ep 2...lol

[@bogdanvacarescu8898]

The Headquarters of band school is a old prison? what was his name, please?