Bandmaster

Bandmasters qualified before the reorganisation in 2014 were always immediately promoted to the rank of warrant officer class 1, with the designation of WO1(BM).

Bandmaster is an appointment which may be held by a warrant officer class 1 (WO1 BDMR), who is equivalent to an Army bandmaster, or a warrant officer class 2 (WO2 BDMR), who is equivalent to an Army band sergeant major.

Until the introduction of warrant officers to the Royal Marines in 1973, the rank of bandmaster was equivalent to colour sergeant and that of staff bandmaster to quartermaster sergeant (equivalent to a warrant officer class 2), and there were no warrant officer class 1 equivalents in the Band Service,[1] although in 1969 the rank of band colour sergeant replaced bandmaster.

[2] Royal Air Force bands have also traditionally been led by commissioned directors of music.

All of these roles will normally be undertaken by volunteer Salvationists who give their time and services free of charge.

The term bandmaster is also used in the cruising industry to describe the onboard musical director, responsible for musical direction for all onboard theatre shows with guest artists and for production shows, writing and arranging for the orchestras as well as band discipline.