March Composition Competition

Royal Marines Band Service
Headquarters Band Service Royal Marines
Walcheren Building
Whale Island
PORTSMOUTH
Hampshire
PO2 8ER

Telephone: 02392 547403
Military: 93832 7403
Fax: 02392 726169

E-Mail: fleet-hqrm-cbdmr@mod.uk
RMBS 1-11C_Competitions

All Personnel 24 Jan 13

RE: RM350 COLLECTION MARCH COMPOSITION COMPETITION 2013

1. The Headquarters Royal Marines Band Service will hold the 'RM350 Collection' Composition Competition 2013 with the aspiration of performing the winning composition at the Beating Retreat Ceremony on Horse Guards Parade June 2014.

2. The competition comprises of two separate compositions: A quick march for the Royal Marines celebrating the modern Commando Spirit and then a slow march for the Royal Marines celebrating HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh as the Captain General of the Royal Marines since 1953.

3. The Competition is open to all serving members of the Royal Marines Band Service and civilian personnel in the UK. Each entrant is restricted to one composition entry per person (quick and slow march). The winning entry will be awarded prize money of £750.00 and two free tickets to the Beat Retreat Ceremony on Horse Guards Parade in June 2014.

4. The genre, theme and stylistic content for the competition will be entirely at the composer's discretion. However, as a guideline, each composition must be written for a 42 - piece Royal Marines Marching Band and Concert Band, 4-minutes maximum in duration. No musical references have been specified as a requirement; nevertheless, the composition may include references to the Royal Marines Corps and Royal Marines Band Service.

5. The title of the winning composition will be Commando Spirit (quick march) and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh (slow march). The winning composer will retain copyright and collect any royalties due.

6. The adjudicating panel will consist of the Commandant General Royal Marines, Principal Director of Music, the Corps Regimental Sergeant Major, Dr L Le Grove, a serving RM & RMBS other rank.

7. Competitors should write and submit the composition in Sibelius 6 format; a full-score, disk/pen drive and covering letter must be sent to WO2 Bdmr Ash Williams RM (HQBSRM) by Midday Tues 12 Nov 13. The Portsmouth Band will perform and record the best six compositions selected by the adjudicating panel (12 in total) in Eastney Block - Portsmouth band room on Fri 13 Dec 13. On completion, the winning entry will be announced.

8. Please ensure these details are given the widest distribution.

Kind regards,

T P HODGE MBE
WO1 Bdmr RM
Corps Bandmaster
for PDM