HC: Can you tell me a bit about your path into music?
KS: I grew up in a farming family and my parents weren't musical, but my music tutor, Keith Britcliffe from the Black Dyke Band, played a huge part in my musical development. From the ages of 8 to 18 I played cornet in the brass band in Market Harborough; I then went to university in Huddersfield to study Creative Music Technology.
HC: What attracted you to army music?
KS: In my final years of university I did extensive research into career options as I wanted to be sure I made the right choice. A career in British Army Music offers the chance to play music for work, to travel as part of the job, and to have the security of a regular income. Other benefits include subsidised accommodation as well as free health and dental care. These were all plus points in deciding me, and I haven't been disappointed!
HC: What kinds of opportunities have you had?
KS: I have had many opportunities within British Army Music, but one that stands out above the rest has been the chance to become a trumpeter in the State Trumpet Team, a group which is unique to The Band of the Household Cavalry. We perform fanfares on long silver-plated E flat cavalry trumpets, complete with a heraldic banner. These instruments are valveless and make a completely harmonious and traditional sound when played as a team of four.
The team performs fanfares together at various high-profile events including for members of the Royal family and the Lord Mayor of London. We also play at the Royal Albert Hall every year for the Festival of Remembrance. We perform the Cavalry Reveille, which follows the two-minute silence after the Infantry Last Post. It is a privilege to be part of such a significant and moving event.
Looking back, when I was posted to my band and learned of the state trumpet team I thought, ‘I've never heard of that. The Royal family still has trumpeters? That's so old school and medieval.’ But it's fantastic – it's so unique.
HC: Are there many other women in your position?
KS: More and more women are joining British Army Music – we now have female Directors of Music, Band Masters, and Band Sergeant-Majors, so they are really flying the flag!
HC: What does an average day look like for you?
KS: As we are the only mounted band in the British Army, our days from March to June are spent riding horses, rehearsing, and performing for state ceremonial engagements.
During the rest of the year the duty we most commonly perform is the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle, and also at St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace. This involves kit cleaning followed by a music rehearsal on the morning of the guard change, before getting into ceremonial uniform ready to march out on to parade.
HC: What music do you listen to when you're not playing?
KS: Probably not the answer you're expecting, but at the moment I'm listening to quite a lot of drum and bass whilst training for an Ironman Triathlon – the heavy beat just helps to keep me going when I'm flagging.
British Army Music is recruiting now. A bursary of £9,250 a year (for up to 3 years) is currently available to university students to offset tuition fees.
Contact the Corps Engagement Team by phoning 0208 744 8668 or emailing CAMUSHQ-CET-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk to find out more!
