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What does a Navy Musician Do?

Navy Musicians are responsible for promoting the image of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) throughout Australia and overseas, as members of the Royal Australian Navy Band (RAN Band). The RAN Band consists of six bands located in capital cities around Australia. Two bands of full-time musicians are located in the Sydney metropolitan area and HMAS CERBERUS on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, and four Navy Reserve Bands are stationed in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth.

Navy Musicians perform for a range of naval and public events. A large part of a musician’s role consists of providing musical entertainment at official Navy functions and ceremonial occasions, such as farewelling a ship departing for a long deployment or welcoming foreign VIPs. Other activities include performing at public events such as community music festivals, concerts, street parades and sporting events.

Regular performances for the Sydney and Melbourne bands are monthly concerts at venues such as St Andrew's Cathedral in the Sydney CBD and in the purpose built 220 seat band auditorium at HMAS CERBERUS in Victoria. The ceremonial parade band performs at numerous street marches, such as ANZAC Day and at commemorative services. Small ensembles such as the jazz group and wind quintet also perform at mess dinners for officers and senior sailors. When not engaged in official Navy duties, the bands visit schools and perform at other community events.

A ‘typical’ working day in the band begins at 7.40am. The band gathers for a morning brief and then starts rehearsals for upcoming performances. The wind orchestra often rehearses in the morning making way in the afternoon for the rock group or big band. Smaller ensembles, such as jazz group, wind and brass quintets and choir, may also be rehearsing throughout the day. There is also regular outdoor practice of marching displays and drills. When musicians are not involved in a rehearsal or performance they use the time for individual practice or administration duties.

Many tasks for the band require travelling or performing outside normal working hours, such as on a weeknight or over a weekend. Periodically the bands undertake regional tours normally of about three to five days. At times, groups and individuals may be required to travel interstate or overseas to perform at significant events such as military tattoos or commemorative services. Occasionally there are opportunities for musicians to perform on operational duties, in places like Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands.

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As a musician in the Navy you will occasionally be expected to go to sea as part of a small ensemble, such as a rock group or brass group. Sea trips are typically about three months in duration and you will undertake intensive rehearsals for about a week before joining the ship. Whilst deployed musicians may undertake extra duties such as galley and scullery assistant or watch keeper on the bridge of the ship. There are often opportunities for musicians to learn new skills as part of the ship’s company such as the Ship’s Medical Emergency Team or as members of a flight deck team.

Other tasks musicians are required to carry out in the band apart from instrumental performance may include:

• working as a music librarian;• obtaining quotes for instrument repairs and maintaining equipment used by the band;• general administration work;• driving band vehicles;• assisting with sound and lighting• assisting with public relations activities.

Regardless of what instrument you play, all Navy Musicians are required to learn military side drum. Musicians who do not play a parade band instrument will be required to play either military side drum, cymbals, bass drum or bell lyre on parade. All musicians may be required to play military side drum, cymbals or bass drum when at sea.

There are two methods of entry for musicians joining the permanent component of the Royal Australian Navy Band:

• Qualified Entry Sailor - Non-degree• Qualified Entry Sailor - Degree (holding a relevant degree from a recognised tertiary

music institution).•

Applicants without degrees will be promoted to the rank of Seaman on completion of the 11 week Initial Recruit Training course, whilst those with degrees will be promoted to the rank of Able Seaman.

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What should I do before an audition?

Prior to auditioning you should attend one of our studios around Australia and spend some time playing with our bands and ensembles. This gives you the opportunity to experience the types of music we play, meet our musicians, and talk in more detail about the musical standard required at the audition, what the job involves and what would be required of you as a Musician in the Royal Australian Navy Band.

To arrange a playing session, contact the RAN Band’s National Public Relations Manager, Leading Seaman Musician Belinda Rendell, on (02) 9359 2618 or email navy.band@defence.gov.au

Before the Playing Session

Before you come to a Playing Session have a good look at the following websites where you will find answers to a lot of your questions:

www.navy.gov.au Includes general information about joining the Navy, upcoming events, stories and images.

http://www.navy.gov.au/about/organisation/navy-band Contains information about the Royal Australian Navy Band, its history and traditions, a list of upcoming performances, and information about what Naval Musicians are doing day to day. Some of our recordings are also available for streaming.

www.facebook.com/royalaustraliannavyband Here you will find images from our archives, information on performances and recent events.

www.defencejobs.gov.au/jobs/musician An essential reference site, it contains information about every step of the joining process and how to prepare for it, as well as what to expect once you get to Recruit School.

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After the Playing Session

Once you have attended a Playing Session, you must first register with Defence Force Recruiting before attending the audition. On the www.defencejobs.gov.au site, scroll down to the bottom left hand corner of the home page and start your application to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF) online. You can also do this by calling Defence Force Recruiting on 13 19 01 or visiting one of their offices. It is essential that you do this as Defence Force Recruiting will manage your case and conduct all assessments (apart from your audition) including your Your Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) session and other administration.

Then fill out the Audition Application Form and return it to the National Public Relations Manager either as an email attachment or by post. Be sure to include copies of your highest musical qualifications, certified by a Justice of the Peace. Alternatively, you may bring your original qualifications with you on the day of your audition. No audition will be arranged until a completed Audition Application Form with your Defence Force Recruiting Candidate Number is received.

You will also be required to have two referees to complete a Referee Report Form and return them independently to the National Public Relations Manager.

Upon receipt of your Audition Application Form the National Public Relations Manager will organise an audition venue, date and time and notify you of the details. Do not make any travel arrangements until you have received this notification. The audition is conducted by either the Music Director of the band in Sydney or Melbourne, or the Bandmasters of the reserve bands (Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth). Ensure that you have prepared according to the audition requirements and musical excerpts provided for your instrument. If you are unclear about any of the requirements please contact the National Public Relations Manager before the audition.

On the audition day you will be given time to warm up prior to your audition. Up to three senior members of the band will listen to your audition which will be recorded. The Music Director or Bandmaster submits the recording, along with his or her recommendation to the Director of Music – Navy who makes the final decision as to your suitability. The Defence Force Recruiting Centre closest to where you live will then be notified of the outcome of your audition, and they in turn will notify you.

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My audition was successful, what happens next?

The first stage of the enlistment process is attending a YOU session at your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre. This may occur before or after your audition. (During the YOU session you will not be allowed to leave the building, so make sure you have arranged sufficient parking time if going by car.)

What happens at a YOU session? • Aptitude tests to determine your suitability to join the Australian Defence Force.• An initial medical interview with a nurse to ensure you are medically fit.• An information session about joining the Australian Defence Force.• An interview with a Careers Counsellor about why you want to join the Australian

Defence Force, and what steps to take next.

After that?

After the YOU session, applicants return for an Assessment Day which includes a Psychological Interview, a Medical Assessment and a Defence Interview. It is important to prepare thoroughly for the Assessment Day as suggested on this webpage. http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/recruitmentCentre/howToJoin/assessmentDay/default.aspx Your assessment day should be viewed like a job interview. At these interviews you are being assessed on your suitability and motivation for joining the Navy itself, not just the Band. Defence Force Recruiting can, and have, turned away applicants if they have not come across as sufficiently motivated or informed.

Make sure you know all about the ships and bases of the Navy and detailed information about what to expect at Recruit School. You can find all this information on www.defencejobs.gov.au and www.navy.gov.au

Make sure that you are able to articulate convincingly why you want to join the Navy (as opposed to the Army or Air Force). Be prepared to talk about leadership attributes you have demonstrated in school/university/work/community situations. You will be asked about your fitness/training program and any sports you play, and you will need to demonstrate confidence that you will be able to pass the Physical Fitness Assessment easily prior to going to Recruit School.

On successful completion of your Assessment Day, you will undergo a Physical Fitness Assessment. Once this has been successfully completed, you will be sent a letter of offer to join the Navy, the Enlistment Co-ordinator will arrange your Enlistment/Appointment day, which includes a final medical check and a ‘swearing in’ ceremony.

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You will be expected to enlist for an initial period of three years. The National Public Relations Manager and the Band Warrant Officer will keep in touch with you while you progress through Defence Force Recruiting and Recruit School to ensure that everything is going smoothly. You should raise any problems or concerns with them as early as possible.

What is Recruit School like?

After the Enlistment Ceremony at your local recruiting centre, all new members travel to Victoria to commence 11 weeks of Initial Recruit Training at HMAS CERBERUS. Recruit training involves learning about naval traditions and procedures as well as essential military skills such as living in communal harmony, maintenance of uniforms, marching, weapons handling, first aid, fire-fighting and damage control. Some of this training will take place in the classroom, but there are also many practical elements, which includes five days at sea on a training vessel. For everything you need to know visit www.defencejobs.gov.au/navy/Training/sailor.aspx

What happens after I complete Recruit Training?

After recruit training, Navy Musicians undertake a 7 week Musician Initial Entry Training Course at the Defence Force School of Music at Simpson Barracks in Watsonia, Victoria. This course will give you specific information and training to be a musician in the Royal Australian Navy, including service knowledge, music theory and harmony, and parade drumming.

The Royal Australian Navy Band is proud of its heritage and continues to be an outstanding organisation of professional musicians performing at the highest level in this country. Successful recruits become part of a unique Navy ‘family’ with long and proud traditions of service to our country.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

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Questions? Enquiries?

For all enquiries relating to vacancies, Playing Sessions, Audition Application Forms, Referee Reports, audition requirements, audition scheduling and Public Relations matters contact:

Leading Seaman Musician Belinda Rendell National Public Relations Manager Royal Australian Navy Band Ph: (02) 9359 2618 Email: navy.band@defence.gov.au

Postal Address: Directorate of Music-Navy, HMAS KUTTABUL, Level 1, Building 32 Locked Bag 7005 LIVERPOOL NSW 1871

Other people you may have contact with during the audition and recruiting process:

Director of Music-Navy (DMUS-N) - Lieutenant Commander Steven Stanke Assistant Director of Music - Navy (ADMUS-N) - Lieutenant Matthew Klohs RAN Band Warrant Officer - Warrant Officer Camille Smith

RAN Band Sydney Music Director - Lieutenant Brian O’Kane Bandmaster - Chief Petty Officer Mark Ham

RAN Band Melbourne Music Director - Lieutenant David Coit Bandmaster - Chief Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis

RAN Band Queensland Bandmaster - Chief Petty Officer Mike Vaughan

RAN Band South Australian Bandmaster - Chief Petty Officer Grant Metcalfe

RAN Band Tasmania Bandmaster - Chief Petty Officer Martyn Hancock

RAN Band Western Australia Bandmaster - Chief Petty Officer Natalea Erskine

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Notes and questions