Musician

You can start your training as a Junior Soldier at the Army Foundation College from the age of 16 years and 6 months.

• Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

• Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

• 2km run 13 min

More information about the fitness test

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

• Play alongside some of the world's best Military Musicians in one of our 14 bands based throughout the UK

• Opportunities to travel and perform at venues and arenas worldwide

• Enjoy a varied career up to the age of 55+ with the opportunity to promote across the rank structure

• Take advantage of sports and Adventurous Training the Army offers

• Have a full-time, salaried and pensionable career as a professional musician

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 the basic military training course at Harrogate.

• If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training.

Step 2
After basic training, you'll then complete initial trade training at The Alford Schools of Military Music. Here, you’ll learn how to march and play, as well as develop your musical education through written work, theory lessons and performance experience. Depending on your ability, you’ll spend anytime from 3 to 24 months in initial trade training.

Earn £27,282 a year during training. On completion of initial trade training you will earn £31,266.

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.

• Level 3 Diploma in Military Music

• After you’ve completed training and get posted to a band, you’ll have the opportunity to take diploma exams with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

• There will also be opportunities to study subsidised bachelors/master's degrees