Drumming
to Success
10th October
2009
www.rblnorthwiltsdrums.org.uk
Six months
ago, 14 year old Tom Witton of Calne had never put hands
onto a side drum let alone played one, today at Colerne
he won the South West Region ATC Solo Drumming Competition.
He did exceptionally well gaining 99 points out of a possible
150 and took top prize.
In the period that he has been a member of the Royal British
Legion North Wiltshire Corps of Drums, Tom has progressed
from a total novice to the best ATC solo drummer in the
South West which is no mean feat. He has learned to read
music in that time and developed a good technical ability
which will stand him in good stead for the future. He has
been entered into the National Drumming Competition being
held next month.
Tom entered the Air
Training Corps South West Region solo drummers competition
10th October 2009 which was held at Colerne. Despite the
fact that he has only been playing for 6 months, he did
well gaining 99 points out of a possible 150 and took first
place.
Well done Tom.
The Band was formed in 2008 as a result of two ex Brigade
of Guards Drummers, both living in North Wiltshire, meeting
through membership of the Guards
Division Corps of Drums Association.
Stuart Sutton and John Ireland were both concerned that
there are few such bands left in existence especially in
the South of England and that it would be a very useful discipline
to give young people in this area and a marvellous opportunity
for them to learn to play a musical instrument and perform
in a marching Band.
Membership is open to anyone from the age of 14 upwards
although youngsters from 10 years of age can also join as
associate members. Membership of the Royal British Legion
is a condition of joining and costs £2.50 pa for 14
to 18 year olds and £12.50 per year for adults. Associate
membership is free. From Chippenham through to Swindon come
and join us and learn to play in our band.
The Drum
Highly decorated and revered, the drum is a
huge part of the history of this nation either for signalling
in War or for musical entertainment in peace. Most Regiments
in the British Army had a Corps of Drums on its establishment
in recent years and it is traditional to display the Regimental
Device and Battle Honours on them, this is called an Emblazon.
This made the drums second in importance only to the Regiments
Colours . The Royal British Legion does not have battle
honours but it does have its own drum emblazon. The emblazon
is on
all the drums, side, tenor and bass. Drummers
also have to be proficient on a
Bugle. This instrument superceded the
side drum as the method of transmitting
messages because of its more
strident tone.
Fancy a go?
If you are sitting at home, tapping your fingers on the table
and muttering to yourself, 'I've nothing to do', or 'I
am bored' and
think you can achieve a new milestone in your life, think
what you can do. You do not have to be up to Phil Collins
standard or even Cozy Powell, but why not come along and
have ago at playing a musical instrument here. Tom has certainly
shown us all what you can achieve in a short time. If you
want to achieve you can! If you are interested, please contact
the club secretary at the Royal British Legion North Wiltshire
Youth Corps of Drums
John Ireland
Club Secretary
Royal British Legion North Wiltshire Youth Corps of Drums
Tel:  01249
811910
Website: www.rblnorthwiltsdrums.org.uk
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