Director of Music

Captain Richard H Watterson BA(Mus) LRSM

Captain Richard Watterson enlisted into the Army on 22 July 1988 and joined the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers as a Trumpet player. In 1992, he attended a one-year pupil's course at Kneller Hall, The Royal Military School of Music and upon graduation, he was awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians prize for best musician of the year.

In 1995, he was selected for the three-year Bandmaster Course at Kneller Hall. He graduated in 1998 with prizes for best fanfare, the Principal Director of Music's prize for conducting and a Bachelor of Arts (Music) degree.

In January 1999, Captain Watterson was appointed Bandmaster to the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, a unique post in Army Music. He returned to the UK in January 2001 to take up appointment of Bandmaster of the Band of The Adjutant General's Corps.  On completion of the 5 month Household Cavalry equitation course in July 2003 he took up the prestigious post of Bandmaster of the Band of The Blues and Royals.

He was commissioned in October 2005 and assumed his first appointment as Director of Music of the King's Division Normandy Band.  Following the restructuring of Army bands in 2006 he became the first Director of Music of the newly formed Band of The King's Division. 

In April 2008 Captain Watterson was posted to Germany to assume the appointment of Director of Music British Forces Germany, a staff position within the Corps of Army Music based in Rheindahlen. 

In his spare time, amongst other things, he is a keen golfer and alpine skier and when possible likes to retreat to his small bolt-hole on the southern coast of Spain.  Captain Watterson took over as Director of Music REME Band in April 2010.

Bandmaster

Warrant Officer Class One Neil Skipper started his musical career in 1991 at the Army Junior School of Music, Pirbright. In 1992 he attended the pupils course at the Royal Military school of music, Kneller Hall.  Upon completion of the course he was appointed as principle euphonium and violinist of the Band of the Adjutant General's Corps (AGC). Prior to joining the Army, Neil performed in brass and wind ensembles across the north east of England.

During his time with the AGC Band, Neil was involved in many prestigious events such as Buckingham Palace garden parties and the Royal Tournament. He also undertook tours of Cyprus, America, Italy, Germany, Northern Ireland and Finland. Between August 1999 and February 2000 Neil was deployed with the band to Kosovo. He was employed as an in transit medical assistant with 24 Armoured Field Ambulance and 34 Field Hospital.

In May 2000 Neil was awarded the Advanced Certificate in performance by the Associated Board, Royal School of Music and in 2001 he gained an Associateship of the London College of Music, ALCM. Neil was selected for the Bandmasters course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall in 2002. He graduated in 2005 with a BMus (Hons) degree and was appointed as Bandmaster of the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.

In July 2008 he had the pleasure of becoming the Bandmaster of this band, the Band of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.