Personnel spotlight
Director of Music
Captain Marshall joined the Army in September 1988 at the Junior Leaders Regiment, Army Junior School of Music, in Bovington, Dorset. On completion of his basic training he was posted to the Duke of Kent's Band, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF), stationed with the 3rd Battalion in Hemer, near Dortmund, Germany.
From December 1990 to March 1991 he served as a part of Op GRANBY in the Persian Gulf, serving as a member of the Regimental Aid Post for the 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF). In February 1992 he was promoted to Lance Corporal before being posted to Warminster, Wiltshire, in August of the same year.
As a result of Options for Change and the formation of the Minden Band of the Queen's Division in 1994, a posting to Colchester ensued. In April 1996 he was then posted to Oakington Barracks, Cambridgeshire and then onto Bassingbourn Barracks, Hertfordshire, in 1998.
In September 2000 Captain Marshall was selected to attend the Bandmasters' course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. On completion of this course, he was appointed as Bandmaster to the now disbanded Clive Band of The Prince of Wales's Division based in Tern Hill, Shropshire. A few years later, having completed the demanding Mounted Dutyman's equitation course, he was appointed Bandmaster of the Band of the Blues and Royals. During this tenure he was delighted to be picked for a Short Term Training Team, spending two weeks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, delivering musical and military training to the Ethiopian National Defence Force Band.
In March 2009, he was posted to the Royal Military School of Music, as the Courses Warrant Officer, responsible for the delivery and development of career courses for all musicians across the Corps of Army Music.
He was commissioned in September 2010 and is honoured to be the Director of Music to the Band of the King's Division based at Weeton Barracks, Preston.
Throughout his career he has had the pleasure of travelling the world and working with some outstanding musicians. He is a keen sportsman and has represented the Junior Army, his Regiments he has served with and Bands at both Football and Rugby.
Bandmaster
Warrant Officer Class One Andy Porter studied music at Chethams School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, receiving the British Reserve Euphonium Player of the Year award before graduating in 2002. During his time in the North of England he performed with some of the world's finest brass bands including the Yorkshire Building Society Band.
He enlisted into the army in 2003 and upon successful completion of Phase 2 training he was posted to the Band of the Royal Elecetrical and Mechanical Engineers in Arborfield, Berkshire. During his time with the band he performed in most major European countries as well as Bosnia, Cyprus, Gibraltar and Uzbekistan.
In 2007 he was a guest soloist with Pershing's Own US Army Orchestra, performing a concerto in the presence of the composer. He holds an FTCL Diploma in Performance and a Diploma in Band Direction from the ABRSM. In June 2007 he was selected as the Principal Euphonium of the newly formed British Army Brass Band, a post he still holds.
In October 2007 he was successfully selected to attend the prestigious Bandmasters' Course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. On completion of the course he was awarded a Bachelor of Music Degree, First Class with Honours and was awarded prizes for best overall academic student and the Principle Director of Music's (Army) prize for conducting.
He is honoured to have his first post as Bandmaster of the Band of the King's Division. His interests include conducting amateur brass bands, fun running, sport and supporting Newcastle United.
