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.
- £18,687The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
- £27,227Your pay after completing basic trade training
- AgeFrom 16 years & 6 months to 36 years & 11 months
- QualificationsSee qualification details
Army musicians are paid to perform at famous, high-profile events in 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, and needs musicians with a wide range of specialisms. Join us and you'll 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
Travel worldwide performing at venues and arenas
Enjoy a structured career up to the age of 55 with the chance to gain promotion to Lieutenant Colonel
Combine a love of music with the sport 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 4.2
Army Reserve standards
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm
MSFT (beep test): Level 5 shuttle 8
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 a 23-week basic military training course at Harrogate.
If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular 14-week adult basic training.
Step 2
In some circumstances, you may join as a lateral entry candidate. This follows a similar recruiting process as a standard RCAM applicant, however, instead of attending an audition, you will have an initial interview with the Principal Director of Music (Army) and attend the one-week Bandmasters selection course.
If successful, you'll then go on to standard-entry soldier assessment then attend Reserve training. After successfully completing these modules you will then enter your trade training.
Qualifications you could get after training
Once you’ve joined, you can gain qualifications in performance, conducting and more.
Subsidised Bachelors / Masters degrees.
Performance and musical direction diplomas from the Associated Board Royal Schools of Music.
BTEC Level 2 Qualification in Music.
Pay & benefits
Earn £18,687 a year during training. When you have completed 26 weeks' service or finished basic trade training – whichever comes first – your pay will rise to between 23,496 and £27,227. On completion of initial trade training you will earn £27,227.
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.