The employment opportunities for a full time performance career in the music industry are very hard to find and secure:

• Getting on a course
• Grants and money
• Getting regular paid work or salaried job post college
• An Army Career with your main employment as a musician is therefore worth thinking about

Good reasons for joining the Army as a musician are:

• 800 plus musicians in the Corps of Army Music
• 22 Regular Army Bands + The Band of The Brigade of Gurkhas
• Bursary scheme for students on performance based courses in both further and higher education
• Live performance in some of the greatest venues all over the world
• Structured careers with potential employment until age 55
• Train and earn musical qualifications - Diplomas and a possible degree in music
• Paid to perform music
• Full time salaried and pensionable career
• Great travel opportunities
• Fantastic sports and adventurous training

The Corps of Army Music can accept all instrumentalists including:

• Brass
• Woodwind
• Percussion
• Piano/Keyboards
• Strings
• Guitars
• Vocals

The Corps and bands run 'Insight Courses' for potential school and college leavers with the required musical ability. The courses are available to anyone over the age of 14, who play or sing  to at least ABRSM grade 5 or equivalent standard.  The courses, which are completely free, will provide an honest and realistic insight into army life within the Corps of Army Music.  They are held at all the bands and at the Royal Military School of Music.

For further information on the courses please contact the Corps Recruiting Team, details at the bottom of the page.

The bands all offer varied ensembles including:

• Marching band
• Symphonic wind band
• Big Band
• Rock and pop bands
• Jazz
• Ceilidh
• Brass & woodwind quintets
• Saxophone quartets
• Mounted bands (2 bands)
• Fanfare trumpets
• Strings (selected bands only)

Bands perform at many varied events all year round which can include:

• State and Ceremonial events
• Military dinner nights and social events
• Military event Tattoos
• Carnivals
• Concerts
• Opening events
• Garden parties
• Recruiting events
• Tours to overseas countries

The musicians are trained to be basic soldiers in Phase One Training. Phase Two Training is where the musician develops the basic military musical skills and improves or secures their general musical ability.  This is undertaken at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.   

Army musicians are also called upon to have a secondary trade assisting the Defence Medical Services and general duties as required.  All musicians undergo training for this secondary task and with annual military skills training all soldiers within the Corps of Army Music are ready for any task given to them.

You do not need to join the Army for life you will be free to decide after serving only four years to stay in or to take your training and experience into a civilian career in music.

If you would like to receive an information pack or talk further about a career in Army Music please contact:

Corps of Army Music, Corps Recruiting Team
Kneller Hall
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW2 7DU

Telephone: 020 8744 8608       Email:  nco2crt@hq.dcamus.mod.uk