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
How to contact us
VACANCY
PRINCIPAL TRUMPET
The Heroes Band has a fantastic opportunity for a musician to join and lead the team as Principal Trumpet.This position might appeal to anyone who has performed as Principal Trumpet/Cornet (or co/joint/assistant) of any similar ensemble e.g. brass band, brass quintet, concert/wind band, orchestra etc, or have the same playing ability.
The Heroes Band is a group of enthusiastic and ambitious musicians who enjoy performing fun and challenging music, whilst supporting the fundraising activities of the Help for Heroes Charity, as well as maintaining the charity’s public profile through the Band’s performances.
If you (or if you know of someone who might be interested) please contact us providing your music cv, or a brief biography/covering letter about your experience and suitability for the position, but most importantly, please include your name and a contact number. Please email this to us by clicking the following link:
Please note the deadline for applications is 5pm on Saturday 14th February 2026
We also have general vacancies in all other sections of the band i.e.
Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Eb/Bb Clarinets, Alto/Tenor/Bari Saxophone
Brass: French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium (Bass & Treble Clef), Tuba/Bass
Percussion: Tuned/Untuned
Strings: Double Bass/Bass Guitar, Keyboard
If you are interested in joining us please contact us using any of the above mediums of email, or sms/whatsapp message or call. Then let us know which instrument you play, when you would like to come along and your name. We will have a 'meet & greet' team ready to show you around, and you will also be introduced to your 'go to buddy' for the rehearsal.
We do not hold formal auditions as we know how anxious they can be to even some of the most well seasoned musicians, nor are music qualifications a prerequisite, but we do have a 'standard' which we need musicians to be able to perform to in order for the band as an ensemble to be able to meet the expectations of our event sponsors and audiences alike. On that basis, our prospective new joiner model is that we offer a 4 week 'taster' period free of any financial commitment. This enables both the prospective member and the band to get to know each other both as a musicianship and personality fit.
But don't let all of the above put you off from coming along to a rehearsal. It's never too late to take up music again and nothing ventured, nothing gained. You will find that the Heroes Band is a welcoming band with members coming from all different backgrounds, but with the common interest of performing and entertaining audiences with good music to a high standard, whilst helping raise funds for the Help for Heroes charity, and like all musicians we are all here to help each other succeed, like an extended family.
We've included some live performances sound bites below to give you an idea of some of our music.
Rehearsals are on Monday evenings (except Bank Holidays) and we take a break over the Christmas period. Rehearsals start at 7:30pm and finish at 9:30pm, with a short break halfway through.
The rehearsal venue address is;
The Church Hall is opposite the Netball Courts and Victorian Bath House, and next to the City Ivy Restaurant in the Churchyard. Please see a map below and also a picture of the front of the building.
The Church Hall
St. Botolph's without Bishopsgate
Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3TL
