A Day In The Life: Army School of Ceremonial

In the build up to Armed Forces Day this Saturday 24 June, Forces News has been looking at some of the roles military personnel play across the world.

Every year thousands of infantrymen pass through the Army School of Ceremonial in Catterick to learn ceremonial drill, pipes, drums, bugles and flutes.

Unlike the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall, Catterick takes absolute novices who have never touched a sheet of music in their lives and trains them to be musicians.

During the 18-week course, everyone must learn the bugle and, depending on their own battalion's needs, they may also find themselves presented with a drum or a flute.

"Trying to play a note out of a bugle is quite difficult – but after the months go on you gradually get the strength in your lips to actually play it," says Private Ashley Ankrett, who had never picked up a flute before joining the band.

For Rifleman Christopher McGrath, playing the flute came as a surprise.

"It sounds good," he says.

"It's a different sound than a guitar or a drum."

Rfn McGrath and Pte Ankrett have reached the final hurdle of their drums and bugles course in Catterick.

After 18 weeks of hard work, they must perform a full beating retreat.

If they pass, they will become the British Army’s newest buglers, flautists and drummers.

"I do solos, so I will be playing this on my own with a different type of flute," says Rfn Mcgrath.

"If I get it wrong, everyone gets it wrong. No pressure!"

Pte Ankrett says the margins between passing and failing can be extremely fine, and even one hair on their cap could result in a failure.

A few hours later, the new musicians change into their service dress, nervously waiting as the audience take to their seats.

"When I first held a bugle in my hand I was like, 'I’m actually holding what's actually on my cap badge'," says Pte Ankrett.

"It's basically a new limb – now it is."

Rfn McGrath says:

"I think its important – it brings life to the marches.

"When you’re standing there for hours as a private, and then by the time you know it you’ve finished the parade.

"It's done then and you've got a smile on your face."

Pte Ankrett and Rfn McGrath passed out successfully together with 40 of their classmates, as the Army School of Ceremonial proudly delivered another cohort of drummers, flautists and buglers to the British Army.

Watch live coverage of Armed Forces Day in Liverpool, from 11:00 BST on Forces TV, Sky 264, Virgin 277 or Freesat 165. Forces TV is also broadcast to British Forces overseas via BFBS TV on channel 9.