Hitting the right note
In August, 200 cadets gathered with their musical instruments at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, for the first National Band Competition since 2019
Cadet Harry, 13, from TS Mantle VC in Yeovil, was playing in the competition with TS Blake, from Bridgwater. He shares his experience of how Sea Cadets gave him the confidence to take part in a national competition…
I play the cornet in the SCC Band and the trumpet in my other bands outside of Sea Cadets, I asked for a trumpet for Christmas six or seven years ago and started playing straight away – I’d managed a few notes of Jingle Bells by the end of Christmas Day!
When I was 11, my dad was away with the Royal Navy and I decided I wanted to join Sea Cadets as a surprise. I didn’t know about the SCC Marching Bands when I joined. It was my CO and TS Blake’s Bandmaster talking to me about my trumpet that led me to play with TS Blake and become part of the SCC Marching Bands.
I wasn’t that confident before joining Sea Cadets. Being in the SCC band has given me the chance to enjoy playing with other musicians and gain confidence to be myself. I have found ‘my people’. The band environment is so welcoming and enjoyable, we all help each other no matter where we come from and appreciate the skill required to play and march. I have been lucky enough to play for my area and with the national band in the Trafalgar Day Parade last year – my proudest moment in Sea Cadets so far.
I was nervous but excited to play in the National Band Competition. We trained so hard as a band to get to this point and I wanted to play my best for my friends. It was my first time at a national Sea Cadets competition and the weather was really hot, so wearing full No 1 uniform while being inspected and then playing was a bit difficult. But being part of band with your friends makes the experience much easier.
I was really proud to play in this competition, which was made more special as we decided to play as a cadets-only band, with no volunteers. Greenwich was an amazing place to play, surrounded by the history of the Naval College. This is all good experience to achieve my goal of joining the Royal Marines Band Service.
Bridgwater band: Rising from the ashes
Since starting from nothing about 10 years ago, the Bridgwater Sea Cadets band has recently flourished with the knowledge and support of the South West Area, National Band Team and Royal Marine Band Service. In 2019 one of its cadets took part in the national Trafalgar Day Parade and the band made its debut in competitions.
This year saw their third time competing at area level and the first year at a national competition, following an initial appearance in 2019 in the Novice Class. The band comprises 15 cadets from Bridgwater, two from Burnham-on-Sea and one from Yeovil. They practise and play together each week.
The band was under the direction of Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Sarah-Jane Anderson RNR and led by Ordinary Cadet Pipiras.
The results
Best All Round Band (The Eason-Bassett Goblet):
South West Area Massed Band
Best Solo Bugler (Silver Bugle Trophy):
AC G Barnes-Collier, South West
Best Solo Drummer (The Ali-Bowen-Davies Drum):
AC S Irvine, North West
Best All Round Musician (the ABRSM Cup):
POC W Wooller, South West
Best Dressed Band (the City of Plymouth Cup):
Bridgwater Unit, South West
Best Original Composition (The Seamans Cutter Cup):
POC W Wooller, Torpoint Unit, South West
Best Drum Major (the Admiral Sir James Eberle Cup):
LC C Wooller, South West
Photos: Nathanial Rosa/Sea Cadets
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