‘We stopped London in its tracks – it was an amazing feeling' LCpl Paul Lamstaes on music in the Army

With the Platinum Jubilee, the Queen’s Funeral and the King’s Coronation, the British public (and viewers across the world) have had many opportunities over the last two years to experience the hugely impressive large-scale events for which the UK is known the world over. While the talents of soloists like Sir Bryn Terfel, Pretty Yende and Roderick Williams have shone on these occasions, the musical excellence which takes over the capital for these events is in large part the work of the British Army.

I spoke to Lance Corporal Paul Lamstaes, a saxophonist in the Band of the Household Cavalry, about what it’s like to perform in these historic events and what the Army offers its musicians. We also delve into why, after taking the ‘conservatoire route’ with studies at the Royal College of Music, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Eastman School of Music, the Army was the best fit for him.

Pivoting from studying music to joining the Army is quite a jump, what led to your decision to pursue music in the Army?

I didn't expect anything from my education, it just became an obsession to practise, keep learning and keep performing. Then it led me to the Army. If you told me that I'd end up in the Band of the Household Cavalry riding a horse and playing saxophone, I would have said you were mad. But I'm glad that it's taken me this far because I'm still very much in love with music.

I did some work experience with the Band of the Irish Guards while I was at school. It was only a two-week period, but I took a lot away from it and began having conversations with my family about the Army. We don't have a military background at all and nothing particularly musical either, but the Army's always been on my mind.

I did a lot of serious consideration after I came back from my exchange period at the Eastman School of Music in America. During those four months I took my obsession with music to another level but when I came back, I was at such a low point, I didn't know what my next step would be. I started weighing up my options: whether to go down the freelancing route or audition for the Army.

The application period took around six months, and my wife and parents gave me a lot of support. No one thought going into the Army would be the wrong decision, they just wanted me to make the right choice. I didn't think that just because I've been down the conservatoire route, I would naturally get into the Army, but they offered me a job and I haven't looked back.

How has your relationship with music changed since you finished your studies and joined the Army?

I still get the frustrations that I had during my studies when I can't play a bit of music but music has become less of an obsession for me – It's very rare that I come away from a performance upset now because I’ve found a place where I’m not competing with myself. I am very much able to enjoy my passion for music as a full-time job.

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How has the Army helped nurture your talent and creative freedom?

People often think about the Army as being quite regimental and not open-minded. While you do have to understand boundaries and where you fall in the rank system, when someone critiques your playing, even if they're ranked above you, you can discuss their suggestions. There's also a wider spectrum of standards in the Army because we're such a big employer so you learn to help each other. It's a good atmosphere to work in.

In terms of creativity, I feel that the Army encourages it. I get to be creative in terms of teaching and collaboration. If anything, I feel my creativity has been almost overwhelming. I’m always looking for ways to use the Army to collaborate with other civilian orchestras and to bring music into education, especially while arts funding is being cut. I've always thought I could give back no matter what path I took, and the Army makes it very easy to create that platform. When I don't know how to execute my ideas, I can speak to the more experienced people in the higher ranks. I've always seen the Army as an employer where the door is always open.

How does performing with the Army compare to performing in more conventional classical music concerts and venues?

As part of the Household Cavalry Regiment we perform on horseback, so you go through a 14-week riding school. There were some sore moments but at the end of it you've got a lot of funny stories to reflect on. During events like the Coronation a lot of the camera shots are on the regiment, so we learn to ride in our kit too. Some musicians only need one hand to play their instrument, but sax players need both hands, so we loop the reins over our elbow and we're just controlling the horse with our feet.

Working with horses is something that I've only really got used to this year. With the band, the friends I've made and the environment that's been created, horses are a very small sacrifice!

The Household Cavalry Band participate in lots of notable events. With it being Remembrance weekend, could you talk a bit about what this experience is like?

It’s something that you wouldn’t experience in a freelancing job. We just stopped London in its tracks and it's just an amazing feeling.

We led the Coronation, and it was amazing to see the regiment in full force. When we're in the presence of royalty, we'll wear our gold coats and we'll usually be at the front. When we left Hyde Park Barracks and turned the corner onto Constitution Hill it was quite a sight to look back on.

What's the biggest lesson you've learned from performing in the Army?

When you think of the Army, you think of strong people in senior positions, but that is stuff that you learn on courses which you take alongside your promotions. I think I've learned a lot about leadership through being a musician in the Army and in terms of the training that I've received I feel like the Army's been very consistent in developing things like courage, discipline, respect for others.

I’ve also learned a lot about adaptability. When the Queen passed last year, we were in Canada and had to be flown back. That was where I saw the Army at its best. Everyone chipped in and helped each other to get everything organised within half an hour of hearing the news. Looking back, it was an incredibly proud moment in my career.

It's very hard at music college to keep your motivation going and find that purpose, but the Army has been very good for me. I’ve had brilliant opportunities to perform. For example, I was lucky enough to perform as a soloist at Cadogan Hall in the Household Division’s annual concert in my first year with the Army. I couldn't have imagined that. Sometimes it takes other people to realise your potential. The Army's been very good at that.