 Major
Andy Thornhill MMus LRAM Royal Marines
Major Andy Thornhill joined the Royal Marines Band
Service in September 1983 at the age of 17 as a trombone player,
having received his early musical education in many brass bands
in Staffordshire. On completion of training he was drafted to the
Band of HM Royal Marines Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
for two years prior to moving to CTCRM Lympstone to join the Band
of HM Royal Marines Commandos. During his seven years stay there
he travelled extensively, visiting many European countries, USA,
Japan and he served aboard HMS Invincible on a three-month deployment
of the Far East.
Having qualified for Band Sergeant in 1994, he was drafted to HMS
Raleigh where he visited Russia, Ethiopia, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Before attending the final Bandmasters' Course to be held at RMSM
Deal. Whilst there he was awarded the Malcolm MacDonald prize for
composition and successfully qualified as a Licentiate of the Royal
Schools of Music.
Following the closure of RMSM Deal, Andy was drafted back to HMS
Raleigh where upon he embarked on HMS Illustrious for the seven
month Ocean Wave deployment, visiting many Far Eastern countries.
The highlight of the tour was taking part in the handing over ceremony
of Hong Kong, together with the Band of HMY Britannia.
Having been promoted to Colour Sergeant whilst aboard HMS Illustrious,
Andy was selected to attend the Admiralty Interview Board. He successfully
passed, and was duly selected for commission in January 1998. On
passing the Special Duties Officer Course at CTCRM he began the
Director of Music Course based at RMSM Portsmouth, which he completed
in January 2000. In July 2000 Andy gained a MMus Degree and was
appointed Director of Music of the Band of HM Royal Marines Britannia
Royal Naval College. Prior to joining BRNC Andy was deployed with
29 musicians to Kosovo where they supported Medical Squadron Commando
Logistic Regiment Royal Marines for a six month humanitarian deployment.
In November 2002 he was appointed as the Staff Officer Band Service
in HQBSRM Portsmouth, and following promotion to Major was appointed
as the Director of Music Training at the Royal Marines School of
Music in April 2004.
Andy is a keen sportsman concentrating on football and squash and
he also enjoys water ski-ing when ever possible. His hobbies include
all forms of music, DIY, cooking and avidly following the somewhat
unreliable form of Stoke City Football Club. He is married to Tania,
and lives with his family on the outskirts of Dartmouth.
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Last Updated 22 February 2006
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