Strings
Corps of Army Music Violinist
For the last 250 years, the British Army has employed stringed instrumentalists to provide musicians for orchestras, string orchestras and chamber ensembles at the many State and ceremonial events that require musical support.
The Royal Artillery Band formed the first orchestra in the British Army in 1762, and it has long been a tradition for its musicians to be equally competent on both stringed and wind instruments. They remain to be the only military band able to perform independently as a concert wind band, a marching band and as a chamber orchestra and are thus the oldest established orchestra in Great Britain.
Today, the 7 bands of the Household Division and the Royal Artillery Band provide orchestral and chamber ensembles for occasions such as:
- Investitures at Buckingham Palace and at the Palace of Holyrood House
- The Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award Scheme ceremonies at St. James' Palace
- State Banquets
The combined Orchestra of the Household Division and the Royal Artillery also perform annually at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, collaborating with artists including:
- Brian May
- Kerry Ellis
- Hayley Westenra
- Katherine Jenkins
The string players join forces with woodwind and brass musicians to perform in the Corps of Army Music Sinfonietta concerts every year. They may also be called upon to undertake engagements at musicial spectaculars, military dinners, corporate events and in dance bands and pop groups.
The string players of the Corps of Army Music have to play or learn a wind instrument. Many choose a wind instrument that they already have basic knowledge of or an instrument is allocated to them at the commencement of Phase 2 training based on the requirements within the bands.
The string players of the Corps of Army Music enjoy a highly varied and demanding agenda, and are enthusiastic in promoting themselves in string concerts and solo recitals outside of their normal schedule of duties.
The Corps of Army Music has vacancies for all classical string instruments.
