Major JA Kelly BMus(Hons) FLCM LRSM Royal Marines

John joined the Royal Marines Band Service as a musician in 1979. On completion of training he joined the Staff Band of the Royal Marines School of Music as a Euphonium and Cello player. The next eight years saw him undertake a number of high profile engagements and foreign trips, including a three-month tour of North America and Canada. 1989 brought a move to the Band of HM Royal Marines Commander in Chief Naval Home Command in Portsmouth, but within eighteen months he returned to the Staff Band in Deal. Having completed the Bandmaster's course of 1991 he was promoted to Band Sergeant and awarded a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music. There then followed two years as a Volunteer Band Instructor; firstly on board HMS Invincible, which included a seven month tour of duty in the Adriatic and then in HMS Nelson, Portsmouth.

He returned to Deal as a Band Colour Sergeant in 1994 where he remained until the closure of the School of Music in 1996. He was promoted to Warrant Officer in September of that year and temporarily appointed Academic Instructor Junior Training before taking up the post of Chief Instructor Higher Training at the Royal Marines School of Music, now based in HMS Nelson Portsmouth. John was appointed WO1 Bandmaster of the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth, from April 1998 to March 2000, during which time he took the band to St Petersburg and Brisbane, as well as successfully passing the 'Admiralty Interview Board'. He was commissioned and promoted to Lieutenant in April 2000 and, on completion of initial Staff Officer Training at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, was awarded the prestigious 'Sword of Honour' by the Admiralty Board for meritorious results.

John was promoted to Captain in January 2001, while studying at the London College of Music and Media. He graduated in June 2002 with a Fellowship in Conducting, and a First Class Honours Degree in Conducting and Composition, having studied conducting with Patrick Bailey and composition with Martin Ellerby. On completion of his studies John was awarded the 'Silver Medal' from the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

His first appointment was as Director of Music, Royal Marines Band Scotland; a position he held until June 2004, during which time his band made one of the most successful recordings in recent years ‘Scottish Royals’. John then spent a year as SO3 RM Band, working within the Directorate Royal Marines, where he was responsible for coordinating all requests for RM Band musical support throughout the UK and overseas.

He completed the Initial Command and Staff Course (Maritime) in 2005, and was immediately promoted to Major and appointed Staff Officer Band Service.  In this role he was responsible for coordinating all RMBS military training as well as handling a plethora of RMBS issues.  John was appointed Director of Music to RM Band CTCRM in September 2007.

John enjoys playing squash and golf, although much of this spare time is spent commuting home to his wife Wendy and their two children Sam and Jade, who all reside in Deal, Kent.

Click here to download a High Resolution image of Major Kelly in Mess Dress (concert uniform)
Click here to download a High Resolution image of Major Kelly in Cermonial Uniform

Last updated 14 September 2007