WO2 McGain-Harding WO(T)
BMus LRSM AMusTCL DipMus(Open) RM
WO2 Dean McGain-Harding began his musical career at the age
of 6 singing in choirs and playing classical guitar in his
native Rugby in Warwickshire. At the age of 12 he began lessons
on trumpet and cornet, and joined Dunchurch Silver Band on
soprano cornet. During this period he was a regular in the
pit orchestra for the local theatre, as well as playing in
local county youth bands.
In 1987 Dean joined the Royal Marines Band Service at Deal
in Kent, studying under Sid Rose on cornet and George Simpson
on violin. After 2 years and 8 months, Dean was initially
drafted to the Staff Band in Deal and then shortly afterwards
to Dartmouth, where he was to spend most of the next ten years.
It was during this period that Dean began singing with the
dance band, enjoying many years touring the country with a
number of bands. He was also Musical Director for a local
amateur dramatic society, conducting them in choral and stage
performances. As well as conducting, Dean was a keen performer
in many productions, including Little Shop of Horrors and
Oklahoma. Brass band also featured heavily in his musical
output as a member of Totnes Brass Band under the late great
WO1 Bandmaster Clive Sproston who sadly died in 2005.
Dean took up serious composition in 2000 and was shortly
afterwards selected for the Bandmasters Course in 2001, achieving
his LRSM and AMusTCL. After completing the course, Dean was
drafted to HMS Invincible as a Volunteer Band Instructor where
his duties included, Mess Manager, Postman, Bandmaster and
ships driver! During his draft, Dean was lucky enough to have
some of his wind band compositions published by Studio Music
in London under composer Martin Ellerby, to whom he continues
to contribute compositions. After 18 months on the high seas,
he handed the ship over to CSgt “Adge” Cutler who continues
the tradition of driving vehicles of over 20000 tons.
After leaving HMS Invincible, a short draft to Portsmouth
was followed by 2 years in the Plymouth Band where he successfully
completed his Batchelor of Music Degree with Honours. Dean
moved away from the traditional Royal Marines Dance Bands
and formed, with Band Cpl Kev (Rebel without applause) Baker,
a hugely successful Irish band called the “Rumbling Gussets”.
Specialising in risqué nautical songs, as well as more traditional
folk music, the band was utilised on many occasions, with
audiences ranging from C in C Fleet, to the entire Basra Air
Station in Iraq.
In 2006 Dean was promoted to Warrant Officer 2 (Bandmaster)
and was appointed to his current position as the Warrant Officer
Training at the Royal Marines School of Music at Portsmouth.
Dean, who has three daughters from his previous marriage,
has recently married his childhood sweetheart Rachel. He is
a keen sailor, and fitness enthusiast, and continues to write
and perform music. His arrangement of Chuck Mangione’s “Children
of Sanches” was used on both the 2006 Mountbatten Festival
of Music and the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance
in the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Last updated 23 October 2006
|
