Join the RAN Band
Trumpet soloist AB Musician Marty Duck performs with the Royal Australian Band Melbourne during its first Soundwaves concert in more than a year, held at HMAS Cerberus in Victoria. Image by LSIS James McDougall.
About the RAN Band
There are two bands of Permanent Navy (full-time) musicians: RAN Band Sydney at HMAS Kuttabul, New South Wales; and RAN Band Melbourne at HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. These Permanent Navy bands also employ Navy Reserve (casual) musicians for additional instrumental support. There are also bands located in Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth employing Navy Reserve musicians.
The Royal Australian Navy Band is responsible for promoting the values of the Royal Australian Navy throughout Australia and overseas. As a Permanent Navy Musician you will perform as a member of the RAN Band at concerts, military parades, public events and ceremonies around Australia and internationally. Our Musicians are supplied with professional instruments and accessories, specific military band training, and are afforded practice time within normal working routines.
Navy Musicians undertake a variety of exciting and challenging performance opportunities and Naval roles in addition to domestic events, including regular regional engagement, international representation and maritime operations.
As a Permanent Navy Musician you will receive a competitive salary package with subsidised accommodation, free medical and dental and a generous superannuation package.
Typically our Navy Reserve Musicians perform within the city and state of employment, however there is opportunity for domestic and international performance as well as the opportunity for contracted service with the Permanent Navy Bands. Our Reserve Musicians are supplied with professional instruments and accessories, specific military band training, and usually attend a routine weekly rehearsal to prepare for upcoming events.
Our Reserve Musicians enjoy Tax free remuneration based on a daily award rate.
To find out more visit www.defencejobs.gov.au/jobs/Navy/musician.
Exciting news re. stimulating an increase in recruitment: Check out the Defence News article Chorus of praise for key change.
Audition
All Musician applicants are required to audition to the satisfaction of the Director of Music - Navy.
Entry Levels
There are two levels of entry for musicians to join the Navy:
- Qualified Entry Sailor (QES) - Non Degree: AMusA or equivalent qualified/industry standard
- Qualified Entry Sailor (QES) - Degree: A relevant degree from a recognised music institution
Instrument Categories
Permanent Navy Bands (and supporting Reserve Musicians)
Flute and Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet and Cornet, French Horn, Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba, Double Bass and/or Bass Guitar, Guitar, Percussion, Drum Kit, Piano, and Voice. Position availability varies each year.
Applications are encouraged from both Jazz and Classical specialists.
Reserve Bands
Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet and Cornet, Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba, Double Bass and/or Bass Guitar, Guitar, Drum Kit, Piano, and Voice. Position availability varies each year (see Reserve Band Vacancies).
Multi-instrumental capability is advantageous (but not essential). For example, vocals/guitar or woodwind/brasswind doublers.
Training
Permanent Navy Service
Musicians enlisting in the Permanent Navy Force (full-time) will undergo:
- Nine weeks (paid) Recruit Training at the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School (HMAS Cerberus)
- Up to seven weeks (paid) Musician Initial Entry Training (MIET) at the Defence Force School of Music, Simpson Barracks, focused on specialist military musician skills.
QES - degree: Members are promoted to Able Seaman on completion of Recruit Training.
QES - non-degree: Members are promoted to Able Seaman Musician on completion of Musician Initial Entry Training.
All members of the permanent Navy Band are trained on Military Side Drum.
Reserve Service
Musicians enlisting for Navy Reserve service in the RAN Band will undergo:
- Four weeks (paid) Recruit Training at the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School (HMAS Cerberus)
- Members are required to complete the Musician Initial Entry Training (MIET) course, delivered with paid training days as a self-paced learning course, over a maximum period of 24 months.
QES - degree: Members are promoted to Able Seaman on completion of Recruit Training.
QES - non degree: Members are promoted to Able Seaman Musician on completion of Musician Initial Entry Training.
All Reserve members of the Navy Band are trained on Military Side Drum.
Pay and Allowances
Information on pay and allowances, and further information on joining the Royal Australian Navy Band, can be found at navy.defencejobs.gov.au/jobs/musician (for Permanent Navy); and navy.defencejobs.gov.au/jobs/reserves/musician (for Reserve service), or by contacting Defence Jobs on 13 19 01.
New Vacancies
PERMANENT NAVY (FULL-TIME) VACANCIES (may be located in either Sydney or Melbourne)
We are looking for enthusiastic and driven professional musicians to join our team. These are exciting times for the Navy Band as we continue to grow our organisation!
- Saxophone - Jazz or Classical Specialist
Applications open: 10 Aug 2023
Application due: 31 Aug 2023
Video Submission due: 21 Sep 2023
- Tuba
Applications open: 15 Aug 2023
Application due: 05 Sep 2023
Video Submission due: 26 Sep 2023
- Lead Trumpet
Applications open: 17 Aug 2023
Application due: 07 Sep 2023
Video Submission due: 28 Sep 2023
- French Horn
Application open: 22 Aug 2023
Application due: 12 Sep 2023
Video Submission due: 03 Oct 2023
- Oboe
Application open: 24 Aug 2023
Application due: 14 Sep 2023
Video Submission due: 05 Oct 2023
Candidates are encouraged to record an initial posting (location) preference in their application.
RESERVE (CASUAL) MUSICIAN VACANCIES SUPPORTING FULL-TIME BANDS
The RAN Band is currently accepting open applications for casual positions supporting the following full-time bands:
- RAN Band Sydney: Oboe, Male Vocal, Flute, Trumpet , Euphonium, Trombone, Bass Guitar, Tuba
- RAN Band Melbourne: Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet , Tuba, Bass Guitar
Position availability varies each year.
For the full list of instrumentation, see Instrument Categories.
RESERVE BAND (CASUAL) VACANCIES
RAN Reserve Bands currently have vacancies for the following instrumentation:
RAN Band Queensland
- Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Drum Kit
- Saxophones (all plus doubles if possible)
- Piano/Keyboard
- Trumpet/Cornet
- Tuba
- Vocalist
RAN Band Western Australia
- Cornet/Trumpet
- Tuba
- Saxophone/Clarinet
- Guitar
- Indigenous Cultural Performer - Yidaki (Didgeridoo)
RAN Band Tasmania
- Tuba
- Trombone/Euphonium
- Alto Saxophone
- Clarinet
RAN Band South Australia
- Tuba
- Bass Guitar
- Saxophones/Clarinet/Flute
- Trumpet/Cornet
Reserve Band position availability varies each year.
In addition to the specific vacancies each year, Reserve Bands accept applications from the full list of instrumentation at any time (see Instrument Categories).
Further Information
For more information please contact:
Royal Australian Navy Band Audition Co-ordinator
Email: navyband.audition@defence.gov.au
or
Register for a RAN Band Audition Pack
Complete the webform to register for an audition pack and further application details from our RAN Band Audition Coordinator. If you do not receive a registration confirmation within 2 business days, please email navyband.audition@defence.gov.au
