Magnificent First Concert

The newly formed Royal Navy Volunteer Band at Britannia Royal Naval College set an extremely high standard at their first public concerts this week.

The Volunteer Band, lead by Mr Phil Watson, only began to meet for weekly rehearsals in September this year. Thanks to the hard work of Phil Watson and Mr Les Sheppard a group of up to forty musicians from the area have been developing a varied repertoire for public consumption.

“We had the honour of playing in Dartmouth on Remembrance Sunday”, said Phil “which was our first public appearance as the BRNC Volunteer Band. I always knew we could achieve a high standard and from the initial meeting I have been delighted by the enthusiasm and determination of all our members”.

Members include a number of former military musicians, both Royal Marine and Army along with staff and Officer Cadets from the College. Phil’s daughter, who is studying A level music is part of the band along with her music teacher so the age and experience of the band is very wide.

At the concert the Band proudly displayed their brand new music stand banners, which have been generously donated by The Canvas Factory in Dartmouth. They gave a truly professional appearance to the stage, commensurate with the whole performance.

Throughout the evening the audience were introduced to various members of the band and on occasions a description of their involvement with military music. The superb playing of ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ by John Reeves on trumpet sent shivers down the spine just as the stirring ‘Procession of the Nobles’ by Rimsky Korsakov set your heart beating loudly. Clarinet Candy was a lively piece for the woodwind section with the lead clarinettist, Mark Norlen skilfully displaying the talents of himself and his section.

At the start of the second half of the concert the audience was treated a dramatic rendition of The Gael from the Last of the Mohicans. The deft playing of violins made a fleeting appearance on the stage alongside the excellent soprano saxophone of James Harris.

To honour a lot from a recent ‘Auction of Promises’ at the College Officer, Cadet Jonathan Mion had the privilege to conduct the Volunteer Band for the novelty piece ‘Sleigh Ride’ receiving an honorary set of lyre epaulettes to record the occasion. The Lyre is the Volunteer Band ‘badge of office’ worn by all members.

The inevitable link with the Royal Marine Band Service was honoured as the RM Band, Corps of Drums from CTC Lympstone were in the programme including in the finale a stirring rendition of Heart of Oak and A Life on the Ocean Wave.

The remit of the Volunteer Band is to provide a musical presence for BRNC and also to work with the town of Dartmouth in support of events throughout the year. Following the concerts this week and the positive reception of the local audience they are well on their way to honouring this. At the end of the first concert commodore Jake Moores, The Commodore Britannia Royal Naval College commented “if they can be this good after just three months just consider how they will be in six months time”!