The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth are hosting a marching band workshop and have invited the Medina Marching Band, Isle of Wight Air Cadets and other local community bands to attend.
The event is being held at Christ the King College on Wellington Road on Sunday 22nd of September at 10:00.
The workshop hosted by the Royal Marines Band Portsmouth will focus on rehearsing music, led by a Royal Marines conductor, as well as the World Famous Royal Marines Corps of Drums working with the massed local drummers, whilst other Royal Marines musicians work as “instrumental instructors” with the local young musicians.
Sergeant Aaron Pitman, an instructor at the Royal Marines School of Music and Bugler Mike Thomas who is in the Portsmouth Band are both former members of the Medina Marching Band and will be instructing at the workshop.
Sergeant Aaron Pitman who was born and raised on the Isle of Wight said
“Me and Mike are both former members of Medina Marching Band and still help with educating them today. I often conduct some of their concerts and Mike works extensively with their Corps of Drums”
“We both grew up on the island and played together in the band, and often attribute our careers to Medina Marching Band because of education, opportunities and support that came through being members when we were young”
Bugler Mike Thomas said:
“The idea is that this becomes a regular connection and works towards putting together a massed marching display and strengthens and encourages music education in local communities.”
The initial workshop will hopefully lead to further collaboration with local bands, whilst highlighting the exceptional career as a military musician, the Royal Marines Band Service can offer.
