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Musical Director
Richard Sharp has been the Musical Director of Gosport Silver Band
since September 2007, after taking over from Derek Jones who had been the Band's Musical Director since 2005.
Richard started playing at the age of 10 with a local brass band, Porthywaen Silver Band.
Richard wanted to play Cornet, but was unable to, so tried an Eb Bass instead! After a few years,
he switched to Euphonium, playing in the Junior and Senior Bands at Porthywaen as well as the
Shropshire County Brass Band.
In 1995, Richard gained a place at Salford University on a Band Musicianship course, studying
Conducting with Professor Dave King and Dr. Roy Newsome and arranging music with
Peter Graham. During his stay at Salford, Richard played with the oldest Band in
the country, Stalybridge Old Band. It was whilst at Salford that Richard developed
an interest in joining the Armed Forces as Major Peter Best was studying for his
Master of Arts Degree at the same time. Graduating in 1998, Richard joined the
Royal Marines Band Service.
Although auditioning on Euphonium, Richard accepted a place on Trombone,
studying with the late Don Lusher. Whilst in training, Richard played with the
Southsea Lucketts Travel Band and the SWT Woodfalls band. After three years
training, Richard was drafted to the Royal Marines Band based in Rosyth, Scotland.
Whilst there, he visited many parts of the world including Australia, America,
Gibraltar, Belgium and the Ukraine. In 2003 Richard was deployed with the
Commando Logistics Regiment in Iraq on Op.Telic; an experience that was certainly different to his normal routine!
During his posting in Scotland, Richard conducted the Tullis Russell Mills band for 18 months,
during which time the band achieved many successes.
In March 2007, Richard was drafted to the Royal Marines Band, Portsmouth
and was sent away for 2 months to Cyprus to perform gate duties and
musical support. Upon his return, the opportunity arose to conduct the
Gosport Silver Band, a task which he relishes.
In his spare time, what little there is, Richard enjoys spending time
with his family and riding his motorbike.
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