When Toby Brown dreamed of a career as a professional drummer, he did not envisage it would include bootcamp, weapons training and a camouflage uniform.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be in the defence force,” he said.

The 25-year-old was studying music at university and “really needed a way to make some money” when he stumbled across the Australian Army Band Corps.

He joined the Army in 2018 and has the official title of musician.

“It’s very tough to make a living … being a freelance musician, so being able to be paid a salary and tour the world playing drums for the Defence Force is fantastic.”

The Army employs about 160 full-time musicians and another 300 reservists in 11 bands around the country.

While the broader Australian Defence Force struggles with recruitment and retention, the Army band is one of the few trades that enjoys consistently strong personnel numbers.

Executive officer Major Rachel Beeton said the selection process was the same for any soldier, with added audition requirements.

“We have some instruments where only a very small number [of spots] are available.”

Once enlisted, musicians complete the same intensive basic training as the rest of the Army and are expected to maintain basic soldiering skills.

“One day we can be at the range with weapons, and the next day we’re playing music in front of thousands of people, so it’s a bit of a juxtaposition,” Musician Brown said.

As making a living in the arts becomes increasing challenging, Army band members say the job offers them security and stability.

Corporal Rachel Cope was juggling a busy workload before joining the band five years ago, initially as a reservist.

“So for a full-time option, this was very suitable to me.”

From symphony to jazz to rock

The corps’ repertoire ranges from symphonic wind band and swing band music, through to jazz and rock shows.

Corporal Stuart Fong said while the job was often ceremonial, at its core was a duty to entertain.

“Back when northern New South Wales was battling a lot with the floods [in 2022], we were deployed on Operation Flood Assist in a musical capacity,” the singer said.

The Army often sends its band overseas too.

The corps has a long history of entertaining soldiers and civilians through conflicts, including in the Middle East, East Timor and Vietnam.

Its operational role is community engagement, meaning musicians are not pulled into combat duties.

Fifty musicians have just flown to Switzerland, where they will perform alongside some of the world’s most elite military bands at the prestigious Basel Tattoo.

As for their most requested song, Corporal Fong said the answer was easy.

“Everyone’s always screaming for The Horses [by Daryl Braithwaite] and we’re always happy to oblige,” he said.

“It’s a great tune and we’ll play it every time.”

Balancing creativity with tradition

The Army band is a broad church.

As a classically trained trumpet player, Dani Rich spent her twenties living and playing overseas.

“My dream was always to be a classical trumpet player in an orchestra,” she said.

Seeking a change, she enlisted in the Army as an intelligence analyst but was injured during training.

Switching corps to the Army band was an obvious solution, and balancing being a musician and being a soldier has been easier than she expected.

“One is traditionally very restrictive and regimental, and one is very creative,” Musician Rich said.

“I think that’s what’s great about being a musician in the Army though.