Taupō trumpeter in demand in brand new career with Royal New Zealand Navy Band

The 18-year-old, from Taupō, has already played on two Pacific Island deployments since joining the Navy Band last year, just three days after his final exam at Tauhara College.

Born into a musical family, he began playing the trumpet from the age of six, building to taking part in national brass championships and playing in multiple bands in Taupō.

A Navy trumpet player, Petty Officer Musician Colin Clark, visited Taupō and worked with Ordinary Musician West; he suggested the Navy Band would be a good option. 

“I had heard of the military bands,” says Ordinary Musician West. “The Navy Band would come to Taupō once a year. I thought to myself – I already do a bunch of gigs. It would be nice to get paid for it.” 

While musicians do not have to undergo the RNZN’s 15-week basic common training, they have to pass baseline fitness requirements and do many of the same courses as their fellow sailors, as well as attend Damage Control school and undertake Annual Weapons Qualification.

A deployment to Niue in April saw Ordinary Musician West tasked with being the bugler during Anzac Day services on the Pacific Island. 

“I’ve done other Anzac Day services - I’ve done about 10 in Taupō - but that was the first one for me in uniform. It was really cool. When you do a dawn service in New Zealand, it’s freezing and the instrument sticks to you. But in Niue it was 20 degrees at dawn.”

When asked where would be the top place to play, there’s no hesitation – for Ordinary Musician West it’s Gallipoli. 

During July, Ordinary Musician West and the Navy Band deployed to Fiji to support the Fijian Navy’s 50th anniversary celebrations, arriving by military flight and staying on board HMNZS Canterbury in Suva.

The band performed alongside the bands of the Fijian Navy and Fiji Military Forces for an evening outdoor concert on board HMNZS Canterbury during a cocktail function, and for a 50th anniversary street parade.

“My goal at the moment is to make Leading Hand (equivalent of corporal) in five years.

“My advice to others thinking of joining a military band is, do lots of practice. Ideally you should have Trinity College London Grade 8 qualification or ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal School of Music) qualifications.

“Make sure your sight reading is good, and do a bit of running to get your fitness up. And just give it a go.”