Army bandsmen visited Kingsbury Green Academy this week where they held a special workshop for Year 7 students.
The British Army Band Tidworth, part of the Royal Corp of Army Music, gave students the opportunity to listen and then quiz the band and find out more about life as a musician in the army and the opportunities this career path can bring.
Students were able to familiarise themselves with the Tenor Horn, Trombone, Cornet and the Eb Bass (Tuba) and budding trombone players were also given the special opportunity to play along with the band trombonist.
Tom Renfree, Head of Music at Kingsbury Green Academy, explained: “Part of the music curriculum is for students to learn about instruments of the orchestra and their sonority. Having the Army Music band visit today was a brilliant way for them to hear what instruments sound like in the flesh and understand the colour, character and quality of the sound they produce, as well as explore the different career paths that they could persue.”
Pupils with an interest in music and had been interested in a career in the industry were able to attend a special after-school workshop with the band. Those students brought their guitars, clarinets, violins and trumpets to the session and were able to explore the sound of their playing alongside the musicians.
LCpl Matthew Richardson, Cornet Musician in the British Army Band said: “The pupils have been really engaging and it has been great to expand their knowledge of what it is to be a Musician in the British Army. The opportunities to play your instrument whilst traveling the world are second to none – and the pay, pension and free medical and dental care is also really good!”
Kingsbury Green Academy has a regular programme of events and opportunities across all subjects where professionals share their roles, experience and insight with pupils. Not only does this bring lessons to life for 
pupils and help them prepare for their futures, but is also part of the reason why Kingsbury Green Academy pupils are already seen as great additions to the workforce.
“Linking our school subjects to the working world enables pupils to see the relevance of what they are learning to their futures. We have seen this connection increase pupils’ interest in their subjects and subsequently their aspirations, motivation and academic achievement,” added Cath Young, Careers Lead at Kingsbury Green Academy.
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