This vacancy was posted on 21/07/09 Following our recent successful recruiting campaign, we are still looking to recruit a high quality Tuba player. Instrument & uniform will be provided as will pay and expenses for rehearsals and engagements.
We are a wind band in the Territorial Army based in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne. We rehearse on a Tuesday evening and undertake numerous concert and marching engagements throughout the North East and further afield each year.
Unlike most other wind and brass bands we will pay you when you attend rehearsals and engagements and even pay your travelling expenses! We will provide you with an instrument and band uniform; we have a good practice facility with free parking in the city centre and even have our own bar.
Contrary to popular speculation on some other forums your commitment to a Territorial Army band does not mean you will be sent to far flung and unpleasant places around the world. Territorial Army musicians do not have an operational role within the armed forces. Each year you have the chance to earn up to an extra £1500 tax free bonus for which you will be required to undertake a weekend of military training at a very basic level (first aid, how to hold a rifle - you even won't fire it, and attempt a short fitness test) and attend a 2 week musical training course - this summer we are going to Germany for 15 days. Even this is not compulsory though the cash incentive usually means a good turnout! You will not be committed to any particular length of service, you can leave at any time should you no longer wish to be a member of the band. It cannot be stressed enough that if you do not wish to take part in an engagement or come to a rehearsal then there is no more pressure to do so than if you were in a civilian band. But for the uniform, we are a civilian band! However, should you have aspirations of becoming a full time musician within the Regular Army, joining a Territorial Army band is often a great route to kick-starting it.
To join the band you will need to be over 17 years old and in reasonable health (as stated, we hardly do any military training but it is still the Territorial Army and there is a medical to be passed before joining).
We currently have vacancies in low brass (tuba, trombone, euphonium), percussion and flute but will consider any instrumentalist should you be enthusiastic.
Should you be interested but don't want to commit to anything early on feel free to come along for a blow (or even just a listen) and meet the other players for an informal chat in our bar after rehearsal to find out if the above is true. You'll be pleasantly surprised - the band's current membership all considers this as a well paid hobby (you could receive upto £6000 per year depending on experience and commitment) rather than serving Queen and Country.
Should you require further information, want to visit or just have a couple of questions please contact Dick Stacey either through this forum, directly by email. |
