We wear the same uniform, play the same type of music and get paid the same as our regular counterparts, but only part-time. Training and engagements take place over evenings and weekends plus a consolidated 2-week period each year. There are standard songs used in The Rifles, these were more prevalent in the forming regiments but still carried forward by The Rifles. In recent years our musicians have skied in France, gained a sailing Dayskipper qualification and represented The Rifles and the Army in triathlons. The Waterloo Band & Bugles is a flexible and versatile ensemble and can provide musical support for almost any occasion from a full 35 piece concert band and marching band to groups such as a brass quintet, clarinet quartet and saxophone quintet for smaller venues. It was originally an ox bugle but later made in silver which gave a clearer note. It’s also introduced me to a whole world of military music that I wasn’t aware of before.”. All rehearsals and band engagements are paid with travel expenses included, and you will even earn holiday pay. The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles is part of 7 Rifles and rehearses in our own purpose-built modern band block on the same site as A Coy at Edward Brooks Barracks, Abingdon. To contact the band for general enquiries, to find information regarding joining or to book the band.. Attendance at any specific training event is voluntary to take into account an individual's civilian commitments. She has enjoyed the challenge of learning to march and play at the same time, as well as trying to understand army culture which was also completely new to her. The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles, https://www.linkedin.com/company/british-army. We have played in Bermuda, Denmark and France as well as Horse Guards Parade in London in the past two years, and musicians have visited Georgia and Armenia and performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo. The bugle was adopted for use in the eighteenth century as it was light and easy to use unlike the cumbersome drum and carried its note clear for up to three miles whereas a drum signal became indistinct. Quick March – Mechanized Infantry – David McBain, Slow March – Old Salamanca – Chris Willis, Regimental Double Marches – Keel Row/Road to the Isles – Traditional. These are: Widdecombe Fair (Devonshire & Dorset Light Infantry), Farmer’s Boy (Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry), Over The Hill and Far Away (Royal Green Jackets), Hearts of Oak (Royal Navy & Royal Marines), As a RIFLES Reserve musician, you will have the opportunity to train overseas as part of your band or join other bands during their overseas training. We send particular thoughts to all servicemen and women on operations over the festive period, particularly our fellow Riflemen. Our buglers perform both with the band and alone as a platoon, playing traditional calls for Mess dinners, weddings, funerals and Remembrance ceremonies. We fit the band commitment around our full-time jobs, at evenings and weekends. RIFLES Reserve musicians get paid to play music to a high standard, in their spare time, with like-minded people from all walks of life. Daily routine in the battalions is marked by bugle calls, and The Rifles sound, rather than beat, Retreat. Reserve musicians are paid for the training they undertake and can earn a financial bonus at the end of each year. The bugle has traditionally been used in the past to communicate with and to direct Riflemen. Henry, previously a Regular Musician took the opportunity to continue playing with a military band by joining 7 RIFLES. The bugle is central to The Rifles’ musical traditions, but music has been carried forward from all of our forming regiments. Steph said: “It’s given me a new challenge in my playing and allowed me to start developing my music to the point where I might be able to consider music as a decent part of my career. In recent years the Band has also performed at prestigious home events such as Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle, Sounding Retreat on Horse Guards Parade, playing at Twickenham for the NFL as well as supporting 5 RIFLES at the Freedom of Paderborn, Germany with 1500 troops. The Waterloo Band of the Rifles is a Reserve Military Band. In the last few years alone, we have seen musicians and buglers from The Waterloo Band travel to Cyprus, Germany, Bermuda, France, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Georgia, and Armenia. Waterloo Band & Bugles of The Rifles, Abingdon, Oxfordshire. 1.7K likes. Army Reservists also qualify for an Army pension (pro rata). The Rifles Reserve acknowledges the personal and professional obligations of civilian life, giving flexibility to individuals to enable you to commit according to your needs. Reserve service in The Waterloo Band & Bugles allows individuals to work as civilians outside the Army and yet commit to being a military musician part-time. From all of us in The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles, Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year. You will be offered fantastic opportunities to travel too! You’ll get to meet new friends while improving your overall musicianship and gain both civilian and military qualifications. The best part of being involved has been the engagements that we performed at, some of which have included travel abroad including Cyprus, Bermuda, Georgia, Armenia and Switzerland.”, Steph is currently a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Bath completing the three year NHS Professional Training Doctorate. Edward Brooks Barracks, Cholswell Road, ABINGDON, Oxfordshire, OX13 6HW. We wear the same uniforms, play the same type of music and get paid the same as our colleagues in the Regular Army, but only part-time. Find the contacts you need for recruitment, media enquiries and more. Have British Nationality and Citizenship or be a Commonwealth Citizen with indefinite leave to remain in the country. Band members and buglers also get the opportunity to take part in sports, adventurous training and battlefield studies with other members of The Rifles Regiment. We rehearse on a Tuesday evening from 19.45 – 21.45hrs. Henry said “ Regular playing has meant I have been able to maintain my musical skills and also a high level of fitness. We wear the same uniforms, play the same type of music and get paid the same as … The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles is part of 7 RIFLES and rehearses in our own purpose-built modern band block on the same site as A Coy at Edward Brooks Barracks, Abingdon. Although sometimes a challenge with travelling from Hampshire and juggling full-time self-employment, he enjoys the opportunity to play with the band and also keeps in touch with colleagues, while enjoying the social side of the Band & Bugles. Furthermore, you will be rewarded for your commitment to the Band, with a tax-free Training Bounty at the end of each financial year (Conditions apply). The Band & Bugles travel extensively fulfilling engagements both throughout the UK and abroad.