One Out, One In
After nearly two successful years in charge of Phoenix our MD, David Boorer, is leaving the band as a new job takes him away from the area.
One Out ... Thanks David
David's time with Phoenix has been a huge success, most notably winning the 3rd Section at the West of England finals last March, promotion back to the 2nd section and then leading us at the National Finals in Cheltenham in September. Contesting successes aside, David's other big contribution has been the way he "steadied the ship" and encouraged old and new faces to come to the band. His rehearsals were always relaxed and enjoyable yet he still managed to work us hard and produce some great music.
Everyone at Phoenix wishes David, Sally and their family all the very best in their new adventure.
One In ... Welcome Tom
Following David's shock announcement, the band committee were fast in approaching friend of the band, Tom Griffin, Bandmaster of HMS Heron band based in nearby Yeovilton.
After gaining his GCSEs, Tom joined the Royal Marines Band Service as a Solo Clarinettist in 2003.
On successful completion of training, Tom joined the RM Band at the Commando Traning Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, Devon. During the subsequent years Tom visited the USA, Dubai, Switzerland, Holland, France and Jersey and he also took part in Exercise Longlook in 2008, which is an exchange programme with the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces. Tom replaced a clarinettist in the Royal New Zealand Navy Band for four months which was a very enjoable experience. Whilst working in New Zealand Tom played at various venues around the country and performed Martin Ellerby's Clarinet Concerto with the RNZN Band. He also completed two bungy jumps and launched himself off Auckland City's Sky Tower which raised $2000 for the Starship Children's Health Charity.
After successfully completing the Junior Command Course, spending a short time in Plymouth Band and finishing his BMus(Hons) degree, Tom deployed to Afghanistan on Op Herrick 14 in support of UKMEDGP. He was tasked with sharing his time between assisting hospital staff with their IT issues and manning the radios in the hospital's Ops room in order to receive casualty updates. He also received casualties from incoming aircraft as a driver with the Ambulance Response Troop and the deployed musicians often helped boost morale with impromptu performances.
After Afghanistan, Tom spent a few more years at CTCRM before being drafted to Collingwood Band in April 2014. During the following years he passed internal promotion exams and completed the Senior Command Course and was subsequently promoted to Band Sergeant.
Tom was selected to attend the Royal Marines Bandmasters’ course which he passed successfully in April 2016 whilst being awarded the LRSM in Musical Direction. During his time on the course he had the privilege of studying with Dr. Elizabeth Le Grove, Malcolm Binney, Tim Reynish, Dr. Nick Childs, Paul Patterson, Barry Forgie, Mark Heron, Bjørn Sagstad and Cynthia Johnston Turner.
In 2016, Tom was appointed as the Bandmaster of HMS Heron Volunteer Band and he looks forward to spending the next couple of years in that role. Tom was simultaneously awarded the Bob Harding Bursary Award for Young Conductors and is subsequently the assistant conductor of the Havant Symphony Orchestra for the 2016/17 season.
Tom lives with his wife Emma and their crazy cocker spaniel, Bailey. He likes to think of himself as an amateur barista and enjoys running and cycling.
We welcome Tom to the band and look forward to building on our successes of 2016.
Released On 3rd Jan 2017
