§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what areas are covered by those taking courses in higher music training; and what is the average length of each course. [32218]
§ Mr. SoamesDetails of the content and length of higher music training courses provided by the three services are as follows:
- Royal Marines:
- (1) Bugler 1 course
- Duration: Five weeks—includes one week of examinations.
- Content: Elements-to grade 8, aural and conducting.
- (2) Musician 1 course
- Duration: Eight weeks—includes one week of examinations.
- Contents: Elements—to grade 8, conducting, history, harmony to GCSE standards, aural, scoring, course projects and viva voce—all subject matter covered on the course.
- (3) Bandmaster course
- Duration: 52 weeks.
- Contents: Aural—minimum A-level standard to degree level, vocationally related, harmony and composition, scoring, history
183 and analysis, bandmastership, elements—to advanced degree level, extended composition, conducting and viva voce. - (4) Foreign and Commonwealth students course
- Duration: 10 weeks—includes one week of examinations.
- Content: As for the standard musician 1 course.
- Army
- (1) Band sergeants course
- Duration: From 14 weeks to 44 weeks depending on individual's music ability.
- Content: Instrumental skills, aural, perception (introductory); musical theory techniques; orchestration techniques (introductory); band ceremonial drill.
- (2) Band sergeant majors course
- Duration: Four weeks.
- Content: Perform as an accomplished instrumentalist; carry out supervisory management; carry out band administration; learn to conduct ensembles.
- (3) Bandmasters course
- Duration: Three years.
- Content: Instruction in instrumental studies; advanced orchestration; advanced history of music; direct a marching band; conduct various ensembles; compositional techniques; keyboard harmony; advanced aural perception; direct church music; present a concert; administer a band.
- (4) Passed school of music
- Duration: Five weeks.
- Content: Demonstrate aural perception, arrange for small orchestra; arrange for any prescribed ensemble; present a tattoo project; demonstrate general musical/administrative knowledge.
- Royal Air Force
- RAF music services offer a part-time based course which divided into five graded levels by rank and each module consists of the following subject areas: drill; instrumental performance; aural studies; orchestration; harmony and counterpoint; history and conducting.