The Navy Band supports the ceremonial, training, public relations, recruiting and entertainment requirements of the Navy and is highly respected both within the Navy and musical circles. As a result, Musicians in the Navy are full time professional band members. You will work from the Naval Base in Auckland and when not performing, the Band prepares by rehearsing for future events both in New Zealand and overseas.

This tight knit group performs around New Zealand at a wide range of events including:

• Ceremonial support at Royal, Vice Regal and State occasions and parades

• Public relations and recruiting for the Navy, for example school concerts, career expos and community events

• Supporting local charities, RSAs and community based organisations

• Concerts and other high profile performances.

The Navy Band is based at HMNZS PHILOMEL in Auckland. The daily routine is similar in total time to that of other Service personnel but usually involve irregular hours for performances during evenings and weekends. Service in the Navy Band also involves considerable travel throughout New Zealand and occasionally overseas. When the Band is not performing or travelling, it is spends its time preparing for future events.

Career Progression

Entry to the Navy Band is by audition and to be successful you need to be a competent performer/soloist on at least one military band instrument. Many Band members hold a musical tertiary qualification from a Polytechnic or University (although this is not essential).  You must meet the musical requirements and also the general requirements for entry to the Navy.

Your hard work and experience as a Musician are rewarded by promotions in rank and salary. On joining, you will undertake orientation training with the Band. Following a period of 2- 3 years consolidation, you will start your preparations for promotion by undertaking a Navy Music proficiency qualification (involving music arranging) and a leadership course.

On promotion to Leading Hand, you will again consolidate before working towards your next promotion.

Throughout a Musician’s career, there are also opportunities for further development through dedicated Navy training and part time study using the Navy’s education study assistance program.

The minimum remuneration you will be paid from your enlistment is $35,694. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of your recruit course to $42,487 and will continue to increase on promotion and seniority.

• Be a minimum of 17 years of age.

• Be a NZ citizen or have permanent residency and have lived in NZ for five years.

• Be of good character – assessed by study of testimonials and a police record check.

• Be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years.

• Proficiency with instruments is the main criteria. Tertiary qualification desirable.

• Minimum of three years secondary education.

• Have a minimum of 12 NCEA level 1 credits in English and Maths.

• On entry into the Navy Band, Musicians need to be a competent performer/soloist on at least one military band instrument in most styles. It is also preferable for them to hold a musical tertiary qualification from a Polytechnic or University (although this is not essential).

• Entry into the Navy Band is by audition with the Director of Music. Should this audition be successful, the Director of Music, in conjunction with the Navy recruiters, will put forward a candidate for selection into the Navy. Musicians must meet the musical requirements to be in the Band, but also need to meet the general requirements of entry to join the Navy.

• Be medically fit for service.