Warrant Officer 1 Bandmaster Thomas Hodge BMus(Hons) LRSM CTABRSM RM

Warrant Officer Bandmaster Tom Hodge joined the Royal Marines Band Service on 5th September 1983, at Deal, Kent. On completion of three years training, where he studied the Piano and Cornet, he was drafted to the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Britannia Royal Naval College and the next two years were in retrospect, an extremely invaluable experience performing at venues throughout the United Kingdom.

During the forthcoming years, he served in the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Commander in Chief Fleet, the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Commando Training Centre and the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth. Whilst serving in the above, he travelled extensively around the World including Russia, America, Bermuda and New Zealand. During the 1991 Gulf War conflict, he served as a casualty handler onboard RFA Argus, the Fleet Casualty Handling Ship.

On promotion to Band Sergeant in 1996, he was selected for the Bandmasters course and on completion was awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal. He also gained a diploma from the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music for Conducting and Bandmastership.

On completion of the Bandmasters Course he was drafted to the Royal Marines School of Music (RMSoM) at HMS Nelson, Portsmouth as the Pianoforte Instructor. It was at this juncture that he gained invaluable experience as a teacher, mentor and conductor; training many musical combinations including the Wind Band and Orchestra.

There followed a draft to the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth for a two year period, travelling extensively; highlights include playing at engagements in Dubai, India and Sri Lanka. Once again, this followed a return to RMSoM and promotion to Band Colour Sergeant, where he continued to work as the Pianoforte Instructor. It was during this tenure at the School that he worked towards and gained, his Certificate in Teaching with the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music and BMus(Hons) degree, accredited by the University of Portsmouth. The following year he was selected for Warrant Officer 2nd Class and was appointed Academic Instructor Higher Training. Subsequently, a year later he was selected for Warrant Officer 1st Class and was appointed Bandmaster Training; this was an opportunity to be involved with World renowned Musicians such as Tasmin Little, Peter Donahoe and Marin Alsop.

In January 2006, he was appointed the Bandmaster of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) and was appointed as the Corps Bandmaster in early 2008.

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Last updated: 13 February 2006