An Cosantóir

34 | what i do " No day is the same for us and I absolutely love my job. Even after 21 years service I still look forward to coming into work every day. " GARETH MURRAY SERGEANT BAND OF 1 S BDE There are three Defence Forces bands, 2 E Bde, 4 W Bde, and 1 S Bde. These bands also cover the Air Corps and Naval Service. Both at home and overseas we act as ambassadors for the Defence Forces and our country. As musicians we provide all the musical honours for the Defence Forces, playing at everything from passing-out parades to presidential inaugurations. consisting of a flute, an oboe, a bassoon, a clarinet, and a French horn. We also have different formations for orchestra performances, big band ensemble, and coral recitals. There is great diversity in the bands, with instrumentalists (many of whom are multi-instrumentalists), percussionists, and singers. I'm an instrumentalist. I play the French horn, which is a uniquely classical instrument, very important in the military band, orchestras, and in the quintets. We are constantly on the go in this unit. This year, as well as our regular than for a concert. There are also different instrumental formations for different situations. For example, we form quintet ensembles to perform at smaller venues. You could have a brass quintet, with two trumpets, a French horn, a trombone, and a tuba; or a wood quintet range of civilian events from local functions in Cork to St Patrick's Day parades abroad. A full band consists of 36 musicians and is configured differently for a military parade routine within the brigade, we played at Queen Elizabeth's and President Obama's visits to Ireland. We also play at about 30 school concerts a year, which is a fantastic way of getting the Defence Forces' profile into the schools. We often get called on to play at big GAA matches and international soccer or a two-star bandsman, and then on final approval you are posted to a band and promoted to three-star. To reach the rank of corporal you have to have a minimum of an associate diploma in performance from Trinity College London, and a minimum of nine years service. To reach the rank of sergeant you need 15 years service. on entering the DF, and many go on to their master's degree. Joining the Defence Forces you would have to be of Grade 8 standard to be An Cosantóir June 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie who just retired, sang at the Rose of Tralee festival. The standard in the Defence Forces bands is extremely high, as near- ly everyone would have either a diploma or bachelor's degree in music Cork Coral Festival, the Toronto St Patrick's Day parade, the Military Tattoo in Saumur, France, and the International Military Pilgrimage in Lourdes. We also played at the opening of the Irish Peace Park in Mesen (Messines), Belgium. Also, Sgt Jimmy Hynes, Previously we have played at the International rugby matches. In addition to Defence Forces functions, the members of 1 S Bde Band also play at a wide WHAT I DO

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