At a glance
- Soldier
- Specialist
- music
As an Army musician you have the opportunity to turn your passion for music into a career and travel the world as well as earning a competitive and regular salary.
- £25,200The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
- £28,861Your pay after completing basic trade training
- AgeFrom 16 years & 6 months to 36 years & 11 months
- QualificationsMusical skills to pass audition
Army musicians are paid to perform at famous, high-profile events across the UK and all over the world. The Royal Corps of Army Music is made up of 13 Regular bands and one string orchestra that play everything from military marching music to jazz and contemporary. We need musicians with a wide range of specialisms, so join us and spend your days rehearsing and developing music for concerts and performances alongside like-minded people.
Key Responsibilities
Play alongside some of the world's best Military Musicians in one of our 14 bands based throughout the UK
Opportunities to travel and perform at venues and arenas worldwide
Enjoy a varied career up to the age of 55+ with the opportunity to promote across the rank structure
Take advantage of sports and Adventurous Training the Army offers
Have a full-time, salaried and pensionable career as a professional musician
Have any questions? Talk with us
Regular (full time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 16 years & 6 months to 36 years & 11 months
Qualifications:
You must already play a musical instrument to a high standard and are required to pass an audition, which includes:
Two contrasting pieces
Technical exercises
Sight reading and aural perception assessment
A general musicianship assessment (inc Musical Theory assessment) Interview
All standard Army entrance requirements
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2.7m
MSFT (beep test) level: 4.02
Army Reserve standards
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2.7m
MSFT (beep test): Level 4.02
Training for the role
Step 1
Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.
If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the basic military training course at Harrogate.
If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training.
Step 2
After basic training, you'll then complete initial trade training at The Alford Schools of Military Music. Here, you’ll learn how to march and play, as well as develop your musical education through written work, theory lessons and performance experience. Depending on your ability, you’ll spend anytime from 3 to 24 months in initial trade training.
Qualifications you could get after training
Level 3 Diploma in Military Music
After you’ve completed training and get posted to a band, you’ll have the opportunity to take diploma exams with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
There will also be opportunities to study subsidised bachelors/master's degrees.
Pay & benefits
Earn £25,200 a year during training. On completion of initial trade training you will earn £28,861.
Bursary for Music Students.
For a 4 year commitment to British Army Music, we are offering a bursary of up to £9,250 per year for up to a 3 year period to offset tuition fees during your studies. You must be studying a Bachelors or Master's degree in Music Performance at a British university or conservatoire. Alongside your studies, you will be encouraged to attend frequent Army band events throughout the year.