A trumpet may not weigh as heavy as an assault rifle, but for the men and women of the Royal Marines Band Scotland, both are vital tools.
The elite ensemble were performing in Montrose yesterday during a busy tour schedule that regularly takes them around the world, but for many, thoughts were with their comrades in Arbroath’s 45 Commando, who guard Afghanistan’s front line.
At least four of the musicians have spent six months at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, acting as radio operators, ambulance drivers or paramedics.
All members of the outfit undergo the same basic training as their counterparts and can be called upon to serve in a conflict zone as any other marine would.
Saxophonist John Park is one of those with half-a-year in the Afghan desert behind him.
The 31-year-old said his passion for music had evolved into a desire to serve his country.
“I have always loved music throughout my whole life,” he said. “But after I went to music college I ended up having jobs in pubs and call centres, so this was a way to have a career with stability.
“I enjoyed being in Afghanistan, but we didn’t get to play a great deal of music, although we performed on Trafalgar Night and at New Year.Camp Bastion”I was stationed at Camp Bastion and drove an ambulance and basically got people where they needed to go. What I didn’t realise was how many people would actually be injured and you did see a lot of people with serious injuries coming back into the camp.”
John added, “The military side of the job is something I have come to enjoy more, the more I experience it.”
Based in Rosyth, the band are in high demand and will soon perform in Inverness, Glasgow and Perth, with an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall next month.
The group were in Angus to appear alongside its talented young musicians, who were treated to brass, woodwind and percussion workshop sessions with the band at Montrose Academy yesterday.
An afternoon concert followed at the town hall, marking the first time the 50-strong band had taken part in such large numbers for a project of this type.
Bandmaster Captain Ian Davis said he was impressed with the array of talent displayed by the students.
He said, “We had workshops with the bands that are going to be involved in the concert which will be performed in front of friends and family.”
Captain Davis added that all of his charges are aware of their dual role within the Marines, having himself performed for troops on a hospital ship off Iraq in 2007.
“We join to become Royal Marines musicians and our purpose first and foremost is play music to support the Royal Marines. Primarily our role is to fly the flag at home and through our events we have the opportunity to remind people about the job we are doing overseas.45 Commando”But secondly we have a military duty and at this time 45 Commando are being supported by the Royal Marine Band from Lympston. They are there in support of the unit to work alongside the commandos.”
Short performances incorporated a fanfare from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and a Flag Parade.
That was followed by a march to Semper Fidelis, a solo performance of Macarthur Park and a tribute played to the Irish Tune from County Derry.
A finale entitled Windows of the World rounded off the event, before A Life on the Ocean Wave was played as a regimental march.
Captain Davis said his men’s thoughts were with the troops of 45 Commando. He said, “Music is a universal language and its ability to move people can be quite a powerful tool to keep up morale.
“When you are away you will always be thinking of home and all of our thoughts are with 45 Commando while they are on duty in Afghanistan.
“Several of our members have been out themselves and it is something that we are all trained for and prepared to do when called upon.
“We understand that if there is a need then we must go and we are all very happy to accept that challenge.”
Montrose Academy acting head teacher Bruce Pandrich said, “This event is a fantastic opportunity for Angus pupils to learn from the world-renowned Royal Marine musicians.”