Meridian Winds Concert Band

Musical Director, Don Lloyd BMus(Hons) LRSM CTABRSM ATCL

Don was born and raised in Bournemouth. His earliest musical recollections are the piano lessons given to him by his Mum. His other main musical influence in his teenage years was the Bandmaster at Oakmead School for Boys, Courtney Bosanko. Don left school in 1976 and the following September he joined the Royal Marines School of Music at Deal, as a bassoonist. He passed out from training a term early in 1978 and was posted to Staff Band as the Principal Bassoon. Don served with the Royal Marines Band Service for the next 32 years, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer (2) Bandmaster, concluding his career as the Chief Instructor Higher Training, at the Royal Marines School of Music, HMS Nelson. Whilst in the Royal Marines Band Service he served all over the world. The D–Day 60th anniversary celebrations and the closure of Hong Kong were just two highlights from a long and varied
career.

Don passed the ATCL performers diplomain 1997 and gained his Associated Board Certificate of Teaching (CT ABRSM) in 2000. In 2002 he was one of the first group of Royal Marine Musicians to graduate with BMus(Hons) throught the association with Portsmouth Unniversity. He then gained the LRSM (conducting diploma) with distinction at the end of the Bandmasters' Course in 2003.

Since leaving the Royal Marines Band Service Don has carved out a second career as a music teacher. In 2008 he applied for and was appointed as the teacher of music at the Bourne Community College, Southbourne, West Sussex. Don then undertook the Graduate Teacher Progamme and completed this in June 2009. In September 2009 Don was appointed as Director of Learning Music at the Bourne Community College In February 2009 Don was appointed as the Director of Meridian Winds.