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A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

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- 139 –<br />

The location of the school is the old <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> jail. It is a heritage building, and keeps<br />

many of its traditional features. The cut glass on top of the thick outer walls certainly gives<br />

a feeling of times gone by. The jail cells are now individual practice rooms for the students.<br />

The only difference now is the students choose to lock themselves in (and others out).<br />

Whilst I was at the school I held the position of Assistant Director of Music – Training. This<br />

involved a myriad of tasks including teaching, assessing, administration, course planning,<br />

and rehearsing ensembles. I particularly enjoyed the teaching programme that I was<br />

involved in for the duration of my stay. It gave me a working relationship with most of the<br />

staff and students at the school, and a great insight into the RMBS from all levels.<br />

During my time in the UK, I also worked with Her Majesty’s <strong>Royal</strong> Marines Band Portsmouth.<br />

This was both through the advanced training wing and as a guest conductor. This group of<br />

musicians was great to work with. The band is quite large, and is forever multi-tasking. I<br />

was involved in the 60 th Anniversary of D-Day celebrations, which saw my first brush with<br />

royalty. The band involved me in many other experiences both as performer and observer,<br />

which also gave me the chance to see some more of the countryside.<br />

I was lucky to have my husband come over and join me for a month of my exchange. We<br />

were fortunate to be able to travel through a great deal of the United Kingdom. It was an<br />

absolutely fantastic experience. There is so much beautiful countryside, and so very<br />

different to home. We spent a lot of time being overawed by the history and greenness of<br />

the country.<br />

Throughout the four months I had the opportunity to meet, work with and master class with<br />

some fantastic musicians (both military and civilian). Added to that were the unique<br />

experiences like attending a dining-out night on board HMS Victory.<br />

There are so many similarities between our two organisations, yet still many subtle<br />

differences. This trip was a wonderful chance to strengthen ties between our organisations<br />

and to impart and receive knowledge about the way that we currently do business. Add to<br />

that a chance to see some beautiful countryside, and a wonderful experience is<br />

guaranteed.<br />

RIMPAC 2004<br />

Article by Able Seaman Tracy Burke<br />

In May 2004 Able Seaman Riseley, Able Seaman Lowe, Able Seaman Macfie and myself<br />

joined HMAS Parramatta for RIMPAC exercise 2004. After five days of work-ups with the<br />

ships company, sea sick and missing home, we sat on the flight deck and played the ship<br />

out of Sydney Harbour with our rendition of Hawaii 5-0. Once at sea we were quickly<br />

integrated into the ships company, all four musicians would have a taste of a sailor’s life at<br />

sea. Our days were busy but exciting, we were put into watches on the bridge, day duties<br />

with different departments and still tried to squeeze in our rehearsals.<br />

Our first port was the island of Tonga where we performed Ceremonial Sunset and jazz<br />

group for Tongan dignitaries and residents. The Tongan people were so friendly and<br />

generous it was kind of sad to leave, but we knew that Hawaii was only ten days away.<br />

When we arrived in Pearl Harbour we were met by the Chief of the Pacific Fleet Band who<br />

showed us around the base, but most importantly, introduced us to the thirty musicians<br />

that we would be working with over the next few weeks. For all of us this was a dream<br />

come true, the opportunities were endless. We were fortunate enough to perform at such<br />

events as the fourth of July celebrations in front of over ten thousand people at Ala Moana,<br />

Hawaii’s biggest shopping centre, and in the hanger of the Aircraft Carrier USS Stannis for<br />

the Commanding Officers and ships company and all involved in RIMPAC.<br />

We sailed from Hawaii and went back to our duties. We were involved in Evolutions with<br />

the ships company, jackstays and helped store ship etc. Standing on the GDP in the pouring<br />

rain while we refuelled was actually quite unforgettable.<br />

New Zealand was our last port before returning to Sydney, the weather was terrible but we<br />

were happy to be so close to home. Our time onboard HMAS Parramatta was definitely a<br />

great experience; we made lots of friends and took home some great memories.<br />

<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> Band: A Musical Voyage

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