David began his musical career at the age of 13 as a trombonist for Barnstaple Town Military Band and Bideford Town Brass Band. In 1987, he joined the Army and was posted to the Band of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. During his two years at the Royal Military School of Music, David took a change of course, studying flute and classical piano under Graham Mayger and Veronica Clayton respectively. It was while he was at Kneller Hall that David discovered his passion forwriting band arrangements.
After postings to Northern Ireland and Cyprus in the early nineties, David successfully passed an audition for the Life Guards Band of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. During a series of summer concerts with the Life Guards Band, David was persuaded by the Director of Music to take yet another musical change: he became the principal oboist of the Band, a position that he held until he left the army in 1998.
The Director of Music
David A. Vaninetti-Smart FLCM
David began his musical career at the age of 13 as a trombonist for Barnstaple Town Military Band and Bideford Town Brass Band. In 1987, he joined the Army and was posted to the Band of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. During his two years at the Royal Military School of Music, David took a change of course, studying flute and classical piano under Graham Mayger and Veronica Clayton respectively. It was while he was at Kneller Hall that David discovered his passion forwriting band arrangements.
After postings to Northern Ireland and Cyprus in the early nineties, David successfully passed an audition for the Life Guards Band of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. During a series of summer concerts with the Life Guards Band, David was persuaded by the Director of Music to take yet another musical change: he became the principal oboist of the Band, a position that he held until he left the army in 1998.
The Director of Music
David A. Vaninetti-Smart FLCM
David began his musical career at the age of 13 as a trombonist for Barnstaple Town Military Band and Bideford Town Brass Band. In 1987, he joined the Army and was posted to the Band of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. During his two years at the Royal Military School of Music, David took a change of course, studying flute and classical piano under Graham Mayger and Veronica Clayton respectively. It was while he was at Kneller Hall that David discovered his passion forwriting band arrangements.
After postings to Northern Ireland and Cyprus in the early nineties, David successfully passed an audition for the Life Guards Band of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. During a series of summer concerts with the Life Guards Band, David was persuaded by the Director of Music to take yet another musical change: he became the principal oboist of the Band, a position that he held until he left the army in 1998.
The Director of Music
David A. Vaninetti-Smart FLCM
The Band President
Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs OBE MMus FRSM ARCM LGSM RAF (rtd.)
Wing Commander Stubbs is a former Principal Director of Music of the Royal Air Force Music Services and is a highly regarded and respected conductor and composer within both military and civilian music circles.
Duncan became the first musician to achieve the Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music (Directing - Wind Band).
He regularly conducts civilian wind bands, many of which have achieved National status, and he is frequently asked to coach and adjudicate at wind band festivals.
During his appointment as Principal Director of Music Royal Air Force he continued the challenge of maintaining the musical reputation enjoyed by Royal Air Force Music Services throughout the world.
Wing Commander Stubbs is delighted to be associated with the Heroes Band, which produces and maintains very high standards of music, whilst supporting The Help for Heroes Charity by fundraising through its concerts.
