The Royal Marines Association Concert Band

The Royal Marines Association Concert Band brings their combined 1800 years Service to Queen & Country to give you the most experienced Military Band in the World! The Royal Marines Band Service has built a world class reputation via their thrilling performances worldwide for over a century. Many of its musicians, on leaving the service, go on to successful music careers, but their links with the Royal Marines seldom diminish. In response to public demand these former RM musicians have formed their own band, which matches the highest standards of the serving bands. Indeed, between them they have over 1,800 years of accumulated music experience, possibly one of the most experienced bands in the country. The band was formed in June 2006 under the chairmanship of the late Major Paddy Dunn RM & Captain E P Whealing MVO BA ARAM ARCM RM, and commenced rehearsals at Whale Island in Portsmouth with 35 musicians, its membership now exceeds 60 players. Rehearsals are held every Thursday evening and the band gives at least two public concerts each month, mostly in the South of England. In the past twelve months the band has performed concerts at many places across the country to sell-out venues such as Assembly Hall Worthing, Romsey Abbey, Winchester Cathedral, & many more. In June 2019 the Band were the “star act” at the D-Day 75 event in Portsmouth where they performed to over 5,000 people. Captain Ted Whealing conducted the Band from 2006 until 2011 when Captain David Cole took over. David held the position until 2014 when his Royal British Legion commitments meant he had to sadly relinquish the baton with the RMA Band. Major Tony Smallwood was the next in the “hot-seat” & stayed with the Band from 2015 until 2017 & then Lt Col (Retd) Chris Davis was appointed as the Band’s new Director of Music, a position he still holds today.