Daily Diary by Petty Officer (SCC) Dave Burley
Day 4 - Thursday 20th February 2014
Well, trailer packed ready for the home run tomorrow and Cadets having a quiet night in.
What an amazing day. Had the course photo taken this morning and then into the Drill Shed for rehearsals. 11am we were invited to watch the Band of HM Royal Marines rehearse for a forthcoming show. The Major made us really welcome and the Cadets were speechless for an hour. What an honour - and what a sound. Truly memorable.
Off to lunch and final run through of the routine before our guests arrived. Commanding and Executive officers of TS Vigilant, Lt Cdr who leads HMS Raleigh's Drill and Ceremonial team and surprise surprise the Royal Marine Major! The Cadets were awesome. Treated us to Heart of Oak, Zeebrugge, Bugle and Drum Display, Ready Aye Ready and British Grenadiers, excellent drill and deportment - What can I say, other that I felt that lump in my throat. What a difference a week makes - Wow!
Warm words of congratulations from the Lt Cdr and then a well earned Stand Easy.
Final session this evening, guess who popped in to congratulate our young charges, the Royal Marine Major!
Well done Sea Cadets all - proud to have spent the week with you.
Up early tomorrow and it's all over (until October anyway)
Day 3 - Wednesday 19th February 2014
Wow! What a day.
The usual early start and off to instruction at 08:15. The Cadets have been rehearsing all day for our Parade in front of invited guests and VIP tomorrow. Mostly on the march in the drill shed. Band Staff learning conducting, coaching skills and a host of other informative subjects. 110% commitment from all the cadets, although the hard work is starting to show now. Some tired youngsters, but all are happy and have made huge improvements in their techniques and skills.
HMS Raleigh's Ceremonial Team were on the parade ground today preparing for an event and the entire band were required to move as a single body from one part of the Base back to our practice area - 70+ Cadets. Drum Majors took charge and all were advised of the need for immaculate drill, given the audience on the parade ground. All rose to the challenge and the drill was absolutely top notch. Heads up, shoulders back, all in step with free arms swinging. A real spectacle.
All heading for the disco and a rare chance to wear civilian clothing and let hair down this evening. Tomorrow will be another busy but hugely impressive day - let's hope the display goes well.
More tomorrow.
Day 2 - Tuesday 18th February 2014
Tuesday was hard. Loads of drill and more music practice for the Cadets and adult tuition for the band staff. Entire 70+ piece band and adults took a turn around the parade ground today. Impressive, but more effort required yet!
HM Royal Marine band are in and looks like we may get to watch them perform - awesome.
Keep it up Cadets - hugely impressed with you!
Day 1 - Monday 17th February 2014
First full day at HMS Raleigh - National Band Course. Cadets were up at 06:00 this morning - all 70 of them, victualled in Ganges block and marched in squad formation up to breakfast for just after 07:00. Impressive sight, seventy cadets stomping round the base. Another march down to the Royal Marines Band Service Buildings for a quick brief at 08:15 and into action. Drum Majors, Bass and Tenor Drummers, Snare Drummers in the West Drill Shed. Bugles and Bell Lyras in the Raleigh Club and Brass/Woodwind in the Concert Room. A Quick Stand-Easy at 10 am and it's everyone into the Drill Shed, instruments too, to begin a day of specialised Band Drill. Adult Instructors are now under instruction from the Corps former Director of Music and the Incumbent Director of Music.
March up to lunch and guess what - yep, it's march back for an afternoon of band drill outside the drill shed. Adults learning how to use a Drum Majors Staff. You can see the improvement in the Cadets Drill. March to dinner at 17:30 and up to Ganges Block for a quiet hour before marching off to the pictures to see Jack the Giant Slayer. March back and after phone calls home, etc, it's time for bed. 22:30 is lights out and by 23:00, you cannot hear a sound (except gentle snoring) from either of the girls or boys Messdecks.
It's now 00:00 and the Duty Staff are turning in (thanks Cadets), ready for an 05:30 turn-to in the morning and off we go again.
It's amazing to watch the effort that the Cadets are putting in and the improvements they are making. It's going to be a long, but really worthwhile week.
