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Musician Corps of Army Music

Music & Ceremonial

You're a professional soldier, and a musician who plays your chosen instrument to an exceptional level at high-profile events. This is a hectic but adventurous job – you could be playing to the Queen in London one moment, and marching a regiment through its hometown the next. Call 020 8744 8608 if you want to talk to us about your options.

Are you right for this role?

You should be:

  • Sex: Male or Female
  • Regular Army Age: 17.8 - 36.11 years
  • Territorial Army Age: 17.8 - 42.11 years

You should have:

  • Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required as entrance is subject to an audition.

You should like:

  • Performing in public/parades
  • Playing musical instruments
  • Driving vehicles
  • Working outside
  • Working in an office / indoors

You should be interested or have experience in:

How do you cope performing in front of royalty? Lance Corporal James Griffiths tells us how

CAMUS

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Smiling musician

It isn’t easy to march and play as part of a massed band of over 200 musicians. The more you work and practise, however, the easier it gets. You do feel a bit of pressure playing for the Queen, but it's an amazing experience.

 

Regular Army

Training

Basic training teaches you how to survive outdoors and handle weapons. You then go to the Royal Military School of Music to be taught by some of the world’s best teachers before joining one of the Corps of Army Music’s 22 bands.

Skills you can learn

You learn to play under pressure, but to a very high standard, in many different environments. The whole band has to march in time, so it’s important you can work well in a team. You may move between the bands of the Army, so your career can be very varied and your musical skills will continue to flourish as you're given the chance to learn other instruments.

Qualifications you can achieve

  • ATCL (Associate, Trinity College of Music, London) qualification in Music
  • BMUS Honours degree in Music.

Territorial Army

Training

Training teaches you soldiering skills like how to handle weapons and survive outdoors. It’s all designed to fit around your day job. You will already have the Associated Board Grade 6 exams under your belt, or at least be able to perform at that level, which means you can then go back to your unit as an Army musician.

Skills you can learn

You learn to play under pressure, but to a very high standard, in many different environments. The whole band has to march in time, so it’s important you can work well in a team.

Qualifications you can achieve

  • ATCL (Associate, Trinity College of Music, London) qualification in Music
  • BMUS Honours degree in Music.

Move up the ranks

  • Musician

    This is the rank all soldiers in the Corps of Army Music start at. You get the benefits of Army life, like a good rate of pay, free healthcare, and subsidised food and lodgings, but you’re not in charge of anyone, so you can focus on improving your music skills. Every promotion gets you extra pay.

  • Lance Corporal

    Now you’ve got some experience, you're handed more responsibility. You take charge of a small group of Musicians, ensuring they meet the right standard, and that they’ve got the skills and help they need to develop. And if they’ve got a problem, they talk to you first.

  • Corporal

    You’ve got day-to-day experience of leading a team. The next step is to go on a special course to work on your leadership and management skills. It prepares you to lead a larger team. You still use your musical skills, but you also pass on your experience to junior members of your unit.

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