The Bermuda Regiment is looking for musicians interested in joining the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums.

Director of music for the Regiment Major Dwight Robinson said that the armed service hopes to increase the size of the band for a series of events celebrating the Regiment’s 50th anniversary, including the Bermuda Tattoo.

While volunteers - signed up on a special limited engagement of 11 months - will be engaged as private soldiers and be paid normal Regiment rates of around $143 a day or $35.74 per drill, they will not be required to go through infantry training.

“The 50th anniversary is a historic event — it gives the performers bragging rights to say they were part of this,” Maj Robinson said. “You can only celebrate 50 years once.”

In addition to performances, those who volunteer will have to attend band practice at Warwick Camp and a residential camp for bandsmen and drummers to be held in October.

The engagement period will run between February 1 and December 15 next year with no requirement to complete the 2015 Recruit Camp, but Maj Robinson added that those who did wish to transfer to regular service could do so, with the volunteers going through Recruit Camp in 2016.

A special information session will be held at Warwick Camp on January 7 for interested musicians and auditions will be held at Warwick Camp on January 10, which will include a test of musical ability, a march and play exercise and a minimal medical and basic fitness test geared towards band duty.

Musicians aged between 16 and 65 years of age are eligible to apply, but special consideration will be given to ex-service personnel or other musicians of proven ability.