THE PLAYERS |
Mark Cox - Last Trumpet |
Following early studies at The Royal College of Music Junior Department, Mark played professionally with The Regimental Band of Her Majesty's Coldstream Guards. During this time he won the Frank Wright Cornet Competition at The Royal military School of Music, Kneller Hall and was a finalist in the National Trumpet Competition. Mark graduated from the University of Southampton having played principal trumpet in all of the university ensembles throughout his time there.
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Since leaving Southampton he has played with a wide variety of ensembles and orchestras and has become a member of the English Symphony Orchestra and English National Ballet, as well as performing in the West End (principally Starlight Express) and as a soloist. Mark has enjoyed passing on the benefits of his teaching and extensive performing experience to younger musicians coaching and teaching brass players of Southampton University and Essex Youth Orchestra. Mark's career has taken him to major venues throughout the world. In addition to the major venues in London, he has performed all over the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Germany and the Czech Republic. He has made several recordings. |
CHRIS CLARK - Section Leader - Trumpet Principal - 1st Trumpet |
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Chris was born in 1964 and raised in Stockport, near Manchester, which is famous for its Mad Hatters, a reputation that has not escaped him! He started playing the cornet at age 8 and was soon adopted into the Brass Band family. This formed the beginning of a so far full and varied professional career encompassing military bands, big bands, dance bands, orchestras, touring shows and even circus bands. |
| CHRIS HOWLINGS - French Horn |
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Chris started playing the trumpet and cornet at the age of 11 in local brass bands and orchestras of Norfolk, but switched to the French horn when he joined the RAF Music services. Chris had always wanted to play the French horn and his RAF service gave him the opportunity to study the horn under leading horn players, both in UK and USA. Chris became principle horn in the RAF Central Band in 1992. Over the years he has been very privileged to play under some great conductors and in some great concert venues all around the world. Chris left the RAF in 2003 and turned freelance, he is now fortunate enough to be able to continue his love of playing with many orchestras and bands. |
| MATT QUICK - Trombone |
| Matt began playing trombone at the tender age of six. Although young in years and unable to reach much past fifth slide position, his enthusiasm for the instrument allowed him to join his local Salvation Army junior band at the age of 7. It wasn't too long before Matt was attending Dunstable Music School as well as playing with the DMS jazz band. Things didn't stop here though, eventually Matt depped for the then unknown Aylesbury Music Centre Dance Band and was thus asked to join. In 1989 the band was the first to win the now coveted title of 'Daily Telegraph Jazz Band of the year' followed by further success in the BBC Radio 2 National Big Band competition. |
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Matt has played with a variety of ensembles and in his early career, spent over 16 years in the Scots Guards Band. He was fortunate to take part in many of the countries State Ceremonial parades including The Queens Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour), the Cenotaph and the Festival of Remembrance. The band was also part of the Queen Mothers Procession to her laying in state. The band travelled the world extensively and had the honour of taking part in the Handover of Hong Kong in 1997. He is now a freelance player in and around London. |
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| MARK 'Chippie' CHAPPELL - Tuba |
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Better known as 'Chippie' Chappell, he was born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1969 into a musical family. He began playing tuba at Crompton House Church of England Secondary School and continued to study music and drama at Oldham Technical College. He also performed with Besses Boys Band of which his father was the conductor and his two brother's trombonists.
Chippie joined the RAF Music Services in 1987 at the age of 18. Following a brief period in the School of music he was posted to The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment based at RAF Catterick. After three years with this band he moved to RAF Rheindahlen to join the Band of the RAF Germany where he stayed until its closure in 1994. On his return to the United Kingdom hewas posted back to The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment but by this time it had moved to RAF Northolt. Whilst serving with this Band he passed an audition for The Central Band of the Royal Air Force and moved to RAF Uxbridge to join them in early 1996. Joining The Central Band of the Royal Air Force as a Junior Technician he moved swiftly through the ranks to reach his current rank of Chief Technician in 2008. He was appointed as Drum Major of The Central Band of the Royal Air Force in September 2009. |
