Burnham and Highbridge Town Band have announced the appointment of Gavin John to the position of Musical Director.
Gavin joins the band having started playing the cornet at the age of six, although family lore has tales of him playing the bugle when he was just two!
“Gavin’s first band was a family run village band where he held the position of 2nd Cornet, becoming Principal Cornet player at the age of just 10,” says the band’s Andrew Blake.
“At this time he also started playing with Shipston-on Stour and holding the positions of 2nd Cornet, Repiano and then at the age of 15 found himself as Principal Cornet. During this time the band progressed from being a 4th Section Band to the 2nd.”
“At the age of 16, Gavin joined the Royal Marines Band on trombone, bass trombone at first then moving on to play tenor trombone, euphonium and tuba. Gavin holds Grade 8 qualifications in all these instruments along with the cornet.”
“After completing training at the Royal Marines school of music, Deal, Gavin was drafted to Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone and HMS Raleigh before again being drafted to Lympstone to end his career spanning 15 years. During his career he played at many prominent venues and performed a number of solo items including Command performances to Royalty.”
“After leaving the Royal Marines Band, Gavin enjoyed a time of conducting and composing; and during a career break to France spent a year conducting Just Brass 79.”
“On his return to the UK, Gavin continued to play with a number of local bands. After brief break from banding, Gavin now returns with the baton at Burnham and Highbridge Band where his energetic style and enthusiastic stage presence will have audiences entertained and calling for more.”
Burnham and Highbridge Band’s 2017 season of ever popular concerts at The Princess Theatre and Art Centre starts on Sunday 23rd April at 7:45pm.
The town band will be holding a concert tonight (Saturday) in Mark Church with a mixed programme of music to suit all tastes. The event will start at 7.30pm and is open to all, with tickets costing £7 and available on the door. Accompanied children are free.
Also see:
What’s on in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge
