It is very difficult for young men and women to make a professional career in music: it is hard to get grants and college places; harder still to win through to a full-time salaried job as a performer. A career in Army music is therefore worth careful consideration, before setting out on a career path in the tough world of professional music.

The Army welcomes applications from most instrumental groups including winds, (brass and reed) percussion, strings and now also guitarists (lead and bass), vocalists and keyboard players. Bands perform a great variety of music; including jazz, pop, rock, swing, classical as well as mainstream symphonic wind band music. All this is in addition to the marching band music so synonymous with military life.

A good musician without qualifications is more use to us than a poor musician with a lot of paper qualifications. So, regardless of formal qualifications, you may qualify by audition alone. Show us you have the potential we're looking for and we will help you to develop it to the full. After you've completed testing and medical screening at your Army Careers Information Office (ACIO) an audition will be arranged for you at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

The Audition Process Includes:

1. A Theoretical Paper - Grade 5 Equivalent (ABRSM)

2. An aural perception assesment

3.You will be asked to prepare two contrasting pieces of music to play at your audition; on your primary instrument and on your secondary instrument if you play one.

4. Scales

5. A sight-reading assesment

6. A formal interview with the Personnel Selection Officer (PSO)

Click on one of the links below to download an example theory paper:

 Theory Paper 1

Theory Paper 2

Theory Paper 3