The upcoming ADF Careers advertising campaign will play a significant role in attracting people to consider the ADF as a career.
Filmed across Australia throughout the first half of 2024, the campaign was a substantial undertaking involving a swathe of ADF people, equipment, capabilities, bases and sites.
In early June, members of the Navy, Army and Air Force bands performed as a group for the first time, at Studio 301 in Alexandria, Sydney. They recorded the ADF Careers Brand Anthem ‘sonic recording’ under the direction of advertising agency VMLY&R Australia, with music and sound design by the Song Zu company.
Lieutenant Commander Andrew Stokes, a percussionist with the Navy band in NSW, leveraged his 17 years of ADF experience to lead the band as the Officer in Charge of Musical Direction.
“Being part of the team to perform and record the ADF Careers Brand Anthem is an exciting opportunity for all of us individually,” Lieutenant Commander Stokes said.
“But we really needed to focus on the job at hand and show how professional and adaptable ADF musicians can and must be, given today is the first time we have all come together as an integrated ADF band.”
‘The quick turnaround time meant that this is a high pressure, no-forgiveness situation for all of us, but we love the challenge.’
All 13 members agreed the performance was a highlight of their careers.
Musician Jacob Egan, a bass guitarist with the Army Royal Military College – Duntroon Band in Canberra, said he was feeling fortunate to be given the chance to perform as part of a triservice band.
“[It is] something in my four-year career that I have not had the opportunity to do so far,” Musician Egan said.
While receiving the music only a few days before the recording session made the task that little bit more difficult, the band members’ military training has enabled them to handle such stressful situations.
“The quick turnaround time meant that this is a high pressure, no-forgiveness situation for all of us, but we love the challenge,” Lieutenant Commander Stokes said.
The service bands practise Monday to Friday every week (when not performing), which puts them in good stead to always perform at their best no matter the situation, audience or location.
All of the band members were professional musicians prior to joining up and all are positive about their careers as full-time ADF musicians.
‘Being here today is yet another incredible experience that I know I would probably not get if I was a musician outside of the ADF.’
Leading Aircraftwoman Chloe Bruer-Jones, from Adelaide, said she had been overseas at least twice each year since starting her service in the RAAF band.
“I have been so lucky to have performed in France for Anzac Day; it was so amazing. I have performed in the Maldives as part of the 50-year celebration of diplomatic ties between Australia and the Maldives. I would say that I have performed in just about every state across Australia as well,” Leading Aircraftwoman Bruer-Jones said.
“Being here today is yet another incredible experience that I know I would probably not get if I was a musician outside of the ADF.”
Leading Aircraftwoman Bruer-Jones’ musical weapon of choice is her voice, but she was playing the violin for the advertising campaign recording.
Her family is musical, and she thought she would follow her mother’s example and audition for the Adelaide Symphony. However, as soon as she saw the advertisement for Air Force musicians on Facebook, she realised that was what she wanted to do.
Leading Aircraftwoman Bruer-Jones said she wasn’t quite ready for the initial training, but once she got into it, she enjoyed all of it.
It was only after she joined Defence that she learned of family members who have served their country.
Leading Aircraftwoman Bruer-Jones felt an enormous sense of pride knowing that, in her own way, she was making a difference to so many; fostering joy and excitement with music and displaying another side of the ADF to the public.
The Army, Navy and Air Force bands support many tasks with a wide range of musical capabilities, ranging from symphonic wind band and swing band music through to jazz and rock styles. They are recognised as world-class military bands in their own rights.
