58 musicians and buglers performed the Royal Marines School of Music Summer Concert on Saturday 4th August in the Portsmouth Guildhall, finishing with their world-renowned Beating Retreat in the square afterwards.
The performance, conducted by Major Pete Curtis MBE RM, Director of Music Training, featured soloists, the Concert Band, the Big Band and the Corps of Drums.
The new musicians will go on to perform around the UK, at the Royal Albert Hall and Horseguards Parade, and they will go on foreign tours.
Major Peter Curtis said, “The concert at the Guildhall is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the extraordinary talents of the young musicians and buglers at the Royal Marines School of Music, before they begin their careers in one of the 5 Royal Marines Bands.
“The event really does have something for everyone, with a thrilling concert inside the Guildhall before the spectacular ceremony of Beating Retreat in the Guildhall Square. This is a truly unbeatable afternoon of music and entertainment from some of the finest military musicians in the country.”
The stars of the show were the 17 talented musicians who graduated from the world-renowned Royal Marines School of Music in Portsmouth Naval Base on Friday 3rd August.
Musician Lauren Loveridge, 23, originally from Exmouth in Devon, plays flute and tenor saxophone will be joining RM Band CTCRM in September.
She said, “Training at the Royal Marines School of Music over the past three years has been an incredible experience. When I got to the school I had to learn the saxophone from scratch, and it’s been challenging but my time at the school has opened my eyes to the amazing opportunities that a career in the Royal Marines Band Service offers.
The experience and knowledge of the military instructors and the Professors of Music at the School has advanced my knowledge of music and developed my abilities, preparing me for the life of a musician in one of the best military bands in the world. I’ve made friends for life, and now I’m ready to serve operationally and musically in the UK and around the world.”
Musician Jonathan Griffin, 19, originally from Poole, plays euphonium and cello and will be joining RM Band Collingwood in September.
He said, “This is our last event in training, and we’ve been rehearsing this concert for weeks now. A huge amount of work and effort has gone into making this concert a memorable occasion for everyone.
There’s nothing quite like seeing thousands of people enjoying the brilliant music and the spectacle of the Beating Retreat. I know my family were proud to see me pass out of training from the School of Music to join the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood, and were even a few tears!”
Admiral Sir Philip Jones, KCB, ADC, First Sea Lord, was guest of honour and awarded prizes to some of the trainees. Proceeds for the concert go to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
