Lee’s in tune with his Army career

Lee Marsden: hard work paid off

FROM a youth band to a military parade, an Oldham soldier has hit the right notes with his musical career.

Lee Marsden (29) is marching ahead as an Army musician after completing his foundation course at the Royal Military School of Music (RMSM) in Twickenham. He has been assigned to the Band and Bugles of the Rifles.

To mark his graduation to fully-fledged band member, Lee took part in a passing out parade at Kneller Hall, the home of the RMSM, watched by proud family and friends in the audience.

Lee said: “It’s been a lot of hard work, but enjoyable work. I absolutely love it here. The Corps of Army Music is a fantastic job, getting paid to do what I love.

“I’ve worked with a fantastic bunch of people here. In fact two of the teachers here I would rate as two of the best teachers I’ve ever had at absolutely anything; just the variety in teaching methods and incorporating the way different people learn.

“Really nice people,very committed to the cause, their energy rubs off on you. You see the hard work they do and it’s only right you put that hard work back in to it too.

“I’ve been here a year and after all the commitment you have to put in, the endless practising, it’s finally paid off.”

Lee, a cornet player, added: “I found the theory and aural side the most challenging. I didn’t have any musical qualifications so it’s almost like being taught a new language, though obviously I had an understanding of how music works.”

The musical understanding was developed during Lee’s years playing in Dobcross Youth Band in Saddleworth.

Describing what made him decide to join the Army, he said: “I was a bricklayer, which couldn’t really be further away from music.

“But I’d had a musical background all my life in brass bands such as Dobcross. I’d always fancied an Army career, as many young boys do, and I just thought go for it.

“I’m joining the Band and Bugles of the Rifles. I’m really looking forward to it.

“When you’re travelling around the world, on coaches or whatever, you want to be stuck with a good bunch of people and I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of people.

“Also, some of the cornet players will be playing at the Last Night of the Proms, so I’m really looking forward to that opportunity.”