Royal British Legion Youth Band Brentwood

Home

Highlights

Objectives

News

The Royal British Legion
Youth Band - Brentwood

The Band Room, The Drive,
Warley, Brentwood,
Essex CM13 3BH
Telephone : 01277 221967
Fax : 01277 221967

Instructors

JOHN WYNDHAM MBE

Founder and Band Director

Following a lifetime of interest and participation in traditional and modern music I founded the band, that is now known as The Royal British Legion Youth Band, Brentwood. In the beginning I was responsible for every aspect of the band. Now I enjoy the role of main administrator thanks to the support, dedication and expertise of the volunteer instructors and staff, whose assistance has made the band what it is today.

Director of Music John Seabrook
John started his playing career at the London Nautical School where he studied under Mr John Bowler Piccoloist and flautist with the Covent Garden Opera Orchestra. Whilst still at school he played with the London Schools Symphonic Band and the London Schools Training Orchestra.

In 1979 he joined the Army as a Musician and was sent for training at The Queen ’ s Division School of Music at Bassingbourne Herts. He was later posted to the 1st Bn the Queen ’ s Regimental Band (later the Albuhera Band the Queen ’ s Regiment) under the baton of WO1 Phillip Hills. Whilst serving in the Army he travelled and performed extensively in Europe and Great Britain and also attended the Royal Military School of Music (kneller Hall) where he studied under professor of flute, George Crozier. During this time he also performed with the Kingston Philharmonia. John continued his studies after leaving Kneller Hall and whilst serving in Northern Ireland he studied briefly under Mr Colin Fleming principal flute of the Ulster Orchestra and whilst in the UK with Ms Susan Milan (now professor of flute at the Royal College of Music) He eventually left Her Majesty ’ s forces to pursue another career but maintained his passion for music and the flute, playing with the Croydon Orchestra and with the North London Concert Band. He has taught the flute for many years both in South East and East London. His involvement with the Brentwood British Legion Youth Band not only includes woodwind instruction but he has recently taken up the baton as an additional member of the conducting team.

Band Sergeant Major Johnpaul Wyndham

I am a founder member of the band which was formed in October 1990. As the band sergeant major I am responsible for the drum section, band drill and overall turnout.

I started drumming in the sea cadets at the age of thirteen and have attended several courses with the Royal Marine drummers. I organize drumming workshops with guest drummers from other bands and find that the exchange of ideas and techniques immensely beneficial to all concerned.

Drum Major Richard Hyam

Richard is originally from Romford and his interest in music emerged at Marshalls Park School under the direction of his music teacher Michael Applewhite. His first public performance was at a school drum line concert.

He joined the Royal British Legion Youth Band at the end of February 1996 and made his first appearance at the Southend Air show in June 1996. Richard is an accomplished percussionist for the band who performs for the band in concerts. He is also an accomplished electric guitar player.

He was promoted to sergeant in November 2001 and took over as Drum Major in 2002.

He is an instructor within the drum section.

He has taken part in all major band events both at home and abroad. The most significant occasions performing in front of the Queen at the Royal Albert Hall, the 60th VE celebrations in Holland and the joint Band of the Blues and Royals concert at the Brentwood Centre.

In his spare time Richard enjoys karate and keeping fit.

Now living in Brentwood Richard runs his own company REH Electrical Services.

Instructor Jane Famer

Jayne began her musical career at the age of ten but not being able to decide on what instrument to concentrate on, she decided to play piano, violin and clarinet, showing early musical prowess. She was at this stage living in London and studying music at school.

In 1992 her family moved to Brentwood and Jayne continued her musical studies at St Martins School. In this same year she heard about the RBLYBB and quickly realised that she could expand her musical knowledge and put all the hard work to use. However at this time the band needed cornettists not clarinettists and so she was given a cornet, a tutor, took on the task and was soon in the second row cornet blowing her heart out.

Trips around the country and abroad with the band soon followed, Pasadena in 1996, the Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall in 1998 and since then numerous trips to France and Belgium representing the Legion at various commemorative festivals.

Jayne returned to the USA in 2009 for the Tournament of the Roses Parade where the band was seen by an estimated 640,000,000 viewers from around the world.

Jayne has now taken on the mantle of cornet instructor and is now passing her experience on to the new members. She instructs from beginner stage to accomplished musician and has recently created a study/practice system to suit the bands needs. This will help to progress the beginners to a stage where they are able to play a musical part in the band at the earliest opportunity.

Jayne would like to take this opportunity to thank the band for everything in the past 17 years and is glad that she is now able to give something back.

Instructor Kelly Griffin BA

Kelly started playing trumpet at the age of nine and was inspired by her then music teacher to join the school orchestra. On leaving junior school, she continued to have private tuition with a jazz style teacher.

It was at the age of twelve, Kelly was first introduced to the band in an assembly at St. Martin's School, she collected a leaflet about the band and the following Monday in November 1994, attended practice with some fellow school friends.

Her first year in the band coincided with the band's first trip to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and has subsequently enjoyed many trips throughout the UK and Europe.

Kelly moved progressively through the ranks and in 1999 was promoted to Sergeant at the Band's awards evening. She has also won the titles of Band Personality and the Rose Bowl Attendance Award. At the age of twenty five, Kelly became an Instructor and is proud to still play an active part in the band and its fanfare team, alongside her career as a primary school teacher.

With over half a life time as a member of the band, she has seen bandsmen come and go, changes of uniform and changes of home, and she is very grateful to John and the Band for all the wonderful experiences and friends that she has been introduced to and hope that there are many more to come.

Instructor Criss Monk BA

Chris has been part of the band from the age of ten and has always been a brass specialist. His principal instrument is euphonium, however he has played Eb bass, trumpet, tenor bugle and fanfare trumpet.

After graduating from the University of Kent where he studied English and American Literature and Drama, Chris returned to band and began working on the band's own youth group, SPLAT, which stands for Sports, Play, Laughter and Tuck-shop. The band members had little chance to socialise outside of the band setting and SPLAT allowed them to do this. The club is also open to band members' friends.

Through his continuing involvement with the band he received a Jack Petchey Achievement Award for "Outstanding Leadership". He was also honoured by Brentwood Borough Council as one of the youngest people ever to receive a Civic Award for Services to Youth.

Now working as a Drama Teacher in Chelmsford, he splits his time between band responsibilities and his teaching career.

website design by www.lookmedia.co.uk