With a childhood love of music and a military family background, a career in an army band was a natural choice for Fiona Shakspeare. After completing basic training she went to Kneller Hall, and she shares memories of her days as a student, including time spent perfecting her skills as a bassoonist and enduring her much-hated signing lessons. After Kneller Hall, Fiona’s first posting was to the Hussars and Light Dragoons, and her subsequent career took her to Kosovo, Germany and Iraq. She talks about the dual role of musician and soldier, describing what it was like to serve in a conflict zone, what her duties entailed, and why music still has its place in war. After her time abroad, Fiona was posted first to the Prince of Wales Division Band and then the Grenadier Guards. She talks about two of the greatest highlights of her career: playing in the Falkland Islands for the 25th anniversary of the conflict, and Trooping the Colour. At the time of her interview, Fiona was serving the final 12 months of her military career as Assistant Corp Secretary at Kneller Hall, and it’s easy to believe her when she says joining the army as a musician was the best decision she’s ever made.