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SYMPHONIC GALLERY

The Band of HM Royal Marines
Conductor: Lt. Col. Chris Davis —Principal Director of Music

 

Compact Disc £12.00

 

This major recording of symphonic wind band music is the second in this series, the first being ‘Harrison’s Dream’.

On this CD are three major works of, as the title suggests, a symphonic nature by three British composers, Philip Sparke, Peter Graham and Stephen Dodgson.

Principal Director of Music brought together a composite band of musicians from the whole Band Service to make this recording of highly technical wind band music. An ambitious departure from the usual repertoire of Royal Marines bands, this CD is a must for all those who appreciate the technical skills and musicianship of RM musicians. Recorded at: HMS Raleigh, Cornwall.

This is serious music indeed, and forms part of the foundation of a portfolio submission by Lt Col Davis for the award of Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Salford.

For other CDs of a similar nature, see HARRISON’S DREAM and MUSIC FOR THE MILLENNIUM and DIVERSIONS.

Playing time: 69 minutes 16 seconds.

Born in 1959 in Eastleigh, Hampshire, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Davis took an early interest in music, playing in various combinations in and around the Winchester area. These included, from 1969, the Hampshire Youth Concert Band under the direction of John Knight, until he joined the Royal Marines Band Service in the September of 1975.

On completion of three years training at the Royal Marines School of Music he joined the Band of the Commander in Chief Naval Home Command as a clarinet and violin player. The next eight years, six as leader of the orchestra, saw continuous service on board Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, including two circumnavigations of the world, two Royal Honeymoon Cruises and trips to the Americas, Australasia and the Far East.

Having completed the Bandmasters class of 1988 and receiving the Silver Medal of the Worship Company of Musicians he was promoted to Band Sergeant. There then followed a year as a member of the Band of the Commander in Chief Fleet, gaining his Licentiate from the Royal Academy of Music.

With a return to the Band of Commander in Chief Naval Home Command in 1989 came promotion to Band Colour Sergeant and further trips as leader of the orchestra on board Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia. 1992 saw a return to the Royal Marines School of Music as the leader of the Staff Orchestra. It was also during this year that he was successful on the Admiralty Interview Board and was commissioned on the 1 January 1993.

There followed two years study at University College Salford, where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in Band Musicianship, studying conducting with David King and composition under Ray Steadman-Allen and Peter Graham. On graduating from University College Salford he was appointed Assistant to the Principal Director of Music in July 1994.

He was appointed Director of Music, Royal Marines Band Scotland based at HMS Caledonia in Rosyth, in July 1995 and spent 3 years in charge of the band performing at venues throughout the United Kingdom.

With promotion to Captain and his departure from the Scotland Band, he undertook a period of training at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Bracknell. On completion of this Initial Staff Course he was appointment as Director of Music Training at the Royal Marines School of Music in October 1998. He was promoted to Major 1 July 1999.

During the summer of 2000 he found himself returning to the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth, the band in which he began his playing career, as its Director of Music. A Successful 2 year period followed, with tours to Thailand and Washington DC being the highlights of his tenure.

In July 2002 Lieutenant Colonel Davis assumed the position of Commandant of the Royal Marines School of Music and Principal Director of Music Royal Marines, the seventh in a line of celebrated musicians who have held the appointment.

Lieutenant Colonel Davis resides with his wife Helen and their two children Jamie and Sarah at Warsash near Southampton.

Lieutenent Colonel Chris Davis BA(Hons) MMus LRAM RM

Commandant RMSM / Principal Director of Music Royal Marines

To read the biography of Lt Col Chris Davis, see below

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