Major NJ Grace BMus(Hons) FLCM LRSM Royal Marines

Born in West Bromwich, Major Nick Grace joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 1982 playing Euphonium and Cello. On completion of training he was awarded the Prince's Badge for the best all-round musician passing for duty that year. After joining his first band at Flag Officer Plymouth, HMS Raleigh, Nick served seven years with the Band of the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command at Eastney. This included serving in Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia incorporating a circumnavigation of the world, a royal honeymoon cruise, and rescuing British and foreign nationals from Aden in 1986.

He then joined the Band of the Commander-in-Chief Fleet at RAF Northholt in 1992 followed by a year at the Royal Marines Band Scotland at Rosyth.  Nick attended the Warrant Officer Bandmaster course at Deal successfully completing the course gaining the Licentiate Royal Schools of Music diploma.  His draft to HMS Illustrious in 1996 as the Volunteer Band Instructor included the eight-month 'Ocean Wave' voyage to the Middle East, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Australia in 1997.

After successfully passing the Admiralty Interview Board he was commissioned in January 1999 and promoted to Captain in January 2001. On his Director of Music Course Nick studied conducting with Patrick Bailey and composition with Martin Ellerby at the London College of Music gaining a ‘First Class’ Bachelor of Music degree with Honours. During his time at college several of his compositions, for piano and trumpet, were published for the LCM graded exam syllabus. Nick was awarded the 'Henry Purcell' prize for composition, gained a Fellowship diploma in conducting and the Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians on graduation in 2001.

On completion of his studies at college Nick took up his first appointment as the Director of Music to the Royal Marines Band at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone in June 2001. In October 2002 he took command of a Temporary Service Fire Station in Bristol during Operation FRESCO. He then commanded the Royal Marines Band attached to the Primary Casualty Receiving Facility on RFA Argus in their operational role as casualty handlers during Operation TELIC. On his return from operations, Nick was appointed as the Band Service Staff Officer responsible for tasking band engagements, promotions and drafting at the Director Royal Marines in June 2003. Following his promotion to Major in June 2004 he was appointed as Staff Officer Band Service at the Headquarters Band Service in Portsmouth and then appointed Director of Music Training at the Royal Marines School of Music in July 2005. He took up his present appointment as the Director of Music of HM Royal Marines Band Portsmouth in January 2007.  Nick resides in Portsmouth with his wife Isobel and their son Ryan.

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Last updated: 21 May 2007