GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS - Navy

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTSWhat does a Navy Musician Do?Navy Musicians are responsible for promoting the image of the Royal Australian Navy(RAN) throughout Australia and overseas, as members of the Royal Australian Navy Band(RAN Band). The RAN Band consists of six bands located in capital cities around Australia.Two bands of full-time musicians are located in the Sydney metropolitan area and HMASCERBERUS on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, and four Navy Reserve Bands arestationed in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth.Navy Musicians perform for a rangeof naval and public events. A largepart of a musician’s role consists ofproviding musical entertainment atofficialNavyfunctionsandceremonial occasions, such asfarewelling a ship departing for a longdeployment or welcoming foreignVIPs. Other activities includeperforming at public events such ascommunity music festivals, concerts,street parades and sporting events.Regular performances for the Sydney and Melbourne bands are monthly concerts at venuessuch as St Andrew's Cathedral in the Sydney CBD and in the purpose built 220 seat bandauditorium at HMAS CERBERUS in Victoria. The ceremonial parade band performs atnumerous street marches, such as ANZAC Day and at commemorative services. Smallensembles such as the jazz group and wind quintet also perform at mess dinners for officersand senior sailors. When not engaged in official Navy duties, the bands visit schools andperform at other community events.A ‘typical’ working day in the band begins at 7.40am. The band gathers for a morning briefand then starts rehearsals for upcoming performances. The wind orchestra often rehearses inthe morning making way in the afternoon for the rock group or big band. Smaller ensembles,such as jazz group, wind and brass quintets and choir, may also be rehearsing throughout theday. There is also regular outdoor practice of marching displays and drills. When musiciansare not involved in a rehearsal or performance they use the time for individual practice oradministration duties.Many tasks for the band require travelling or performing outside normal working hours, suchas on a weeknight or over a weekend. Periodically the bands undertake regional toursnormally of about three to five days. At times, groups and individuals may be required totravel interstate or overseas to perform at significant events such as military tattoos orcommemorative services. Occasionally there are opportunities for musicians to perform onoperational duties, in places like Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands.Revised 3 June 20192

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTSAs a musician in the Navy you will occasionally be expected to go to sea as part of a smallensemble, such as a rock group or brass group. Sea trips are typically about three months induration and you will undertake intensive rehearsals for about a week before joining the ship.Whilst deployed musicians may undertake extra duties such as galley and scullery assistant orwatch keeper on the bridge of the ship. There are often opportunities for musicians to learnnew skills as part of the ship’s company such as the Ship’s Medical Emergency Team or asmembers of a flight deck team.Other tasks musicians are required to carry out in the band apart from instrumentalperformance may include: working as a music librarian; obtaining quotes for instrument repairs and maintaining equipment used by the band; general administration work; driving band vehicles; assisting with sound and lighting assisting with public relations activities.Regardless of what instrumentyou play, all Navy Musiciansare required to learn militaryside drum. Musicians who donot play a parade bandinstrument will be required toplay either military side drum,cymbals, bass drum or bell lyreon parade. All musicians may berequired to play military sidedrum, cymbals or bass drumwhen at sea.There are two methods of entry for musicians joining the permanent component of the RoyalAustralian Navy Band: Qualified Entry Sailor - Non-degree Qualified Entry Sailor - Degree (holding a relevant degree from a recognised tertiarymusic institution). Applicants without degrees will be promoted to the rank of Seaman on completion of the 11week Initial Recruit Training course, whilst those with degrees will be promoted to the rankof Able Seaman.Revised 3 June 20193

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTSWhat should I do before an audition?Prior to auditioning you shouldattend one of our studios aroundAustralia and spend some timeplaying with our bands andensembles. This gives you theopportunity to experience thetypes of music we play, meetour musicians, and talk in moredetail about the musical standardrequired at the audition, whatthe job involves and what wouldbe required of you as a Musicianin the Royal Australian NavyBand.To arrange a playing session, contact the RAN Band’s National Public Relations Manager,Leading Seaman Musician Belinda Rendell, on (02) 9359 2618 or emailnavy.band@defence.gov.auBefore the Playing SessionBefore you come to a Playing Session have a good look at the following websites where youwill find answers to a lot of your questions:www.navy.gov.auIncludes general information about joining the Navy, upcoming events, stories and avy-bandContains information about the Royal Australian Navy Band, its history and traditions, a listof upcoming performances, and information about what Naval Musicians are doing day today. Some of our recordings are also available for Here you will find images from our archives, information on performances and recent events.www.defencejobs.gov.au/jobs/musicianAn essential reference site, it contains information about every step of the joining process andhow to prepare for it, as well as what to expect once you get to Recruit School.Revised 3 June 20194

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTSAfter the Playing SessionOnce you have attended a Playing Session, you must first register with Defence ForceRecruiting before attending the audition. On the www.defencejobs.gov.au site, scroll down tothe bottom left hand corner of the home page and start your application to join the AustralianDefence Force (ADF) online. You can also do this by calling Defence Force Recruiting on 1319 01 or visiting one of their offices. It is essential that you do this as Defence ForceRecruiting will manage your case and conduct all assessments (apart from your audition)including your Your Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) session and other administration.Then fill out the Audition Application Form and return it to the National Public RelationsManager either as an email attachment or by post. Be sure to include copies of your highestmusical qualifications, certified by a Justice of the Peace. Alternatively, you may bring youroriginal qualifications with you on the day of your audition. No audition will be arrangeduntil a completed Audition Application Form with your Defence Force RecruitingCandidate Number is received.You will also be required to have two referees tocomplete a Referee Report Form and return themindependently to the National Public RelationsManager.Upon receipt of your Audition Application Formthe National Public Relations Manager willorganise an audition venue, date and time andnotify you of the details. Do not make any travelarrangements until you have received thisnotification. The audition is conducted by eitherthe Music Director of the band in Sydney orMelbourne, or the Bandmasters of the reserve bands (Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth).Ensure that you have prepared according to the audition requirements and musical excerptsprovided for your instrument. If you are unclear about any of the requirements please contactthe National Public Relations Manager before the audition.On the audition day you will be given time to warm up prior to your audition. Up to threesenior members of the band will listen to your audition which will be recorded. The MusicDirector or Bandmaster submits the recording, along with his or her recommendation to theDirector of Music – Navy who makes the final decision as to your suitability. The DefenceForce Recruiting Centre closest to where you live will then be notified of the outcome of youraudition, and they in turn will notify you.Revised 3 June 20195

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTSMy audition was successful, what happens next?The first stage of the enlistment process is attending a YOU session at your local DefenceForce Recruiting Centre. This may occur before or after your audition. (During the YOUsession you will not be allowed to leave the building, so make sure you have arrangedsufficient parking time if going by car.)What happens at a YOU session? Aptitude tests to determine your suitability to join the Australian Defence Force. An initial medical interview with a nurse to ensure you are medically fit. An information session about joining the Australian Defence Force. An interview with a Careers Counsellor about why you want to join the AustralianDefence Force, and what steps to take next.After that?After the YOU session, applicants return for an Assessment Day which includes aPsychological Interview, a Medical Assessment and a Defence Interview. It is important toprepare thoroughly for the Assessment Day as suggested on this entre/howToJoin/assessmentDay/default.aspxYour assessment day should be viewed like a job interview. At these interviews you are beingassessed on your suitability and motivation for joining the Navy itself, not just the Band.Defence Force Recruiting can, and have, turned away applicants if they have not come acrossas sufficiently motivated or informed.Make sure you know all about the ships and bases of the Navy and detailed information aboutwhat to expect at Recruit School. You can find all this information onwww.defencejobs.gov.au and www.navy.gov.auMake sure that you are able to articulate convincingly why you want to join the Navy (asopposed to the Army or Air Force). Be prepared to talk about leadership attributes you havedemonstrated in school/university/work/community situations. You will be asked about yourfitness/training program and any sports you play, and you will need to demonstrateconfidence that you will be able to pass the Physical Fitness Assessment easily prior to goingto Recruit School.On successful completion of your Assessment Day, you willundergo a Physical Fitness Assessment. Once this has beensuccessfully completed, you will be sent a letter of offer tojoin the Navy, the Enlistment Co-ordinator will arrangeyour Enlistment/Appointment day, which includes a finalmedical check and a ‘swearing in’ ceremony.Revised 3 June 20196