The Conductor

David Smart LLCM

David started his musical life at 13 years old 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. In 1988 he went to the Royal Military School of Music for two years where he took a change of course and studied flute and classical piano under Graham Mayger and Veronica Clayton respectively.

It was while he was at Kneller Hall that David discovered a passion for writing band arrangements. This has come into great use since becoming the conductor of the Farnborough Legion Band.

In 1990 David re-joined the band in Northern Ireland and the Regiment then moved to Cyprus in 1991. 1992 saw another career move for David when he successfully passed an audition for the Life Guards Band of the Household Cavalry. During a series of summer concerts David was persuaded by the Director of Music to take another musical change and he became the principal oboist of the Band, a position he held until he left the army in 1998.

During his service, David has performed all around the world, playing for all the members of the Royal Family, The Lord Mayor of London and many Ambassadors and diplomats.

Since leaving the army in 1998 David has performed for a variety of local ensembles and continued to create arrangements for Wind and Brass Quintets, Wind Octets and Brass and Wind Bands.

David was appointed to be the band's second conductor in 2003. He has sought to develop the band into a semi professional band, providing a high standard of music for the band and the public's enjoyment. He has also sought to raise the profile of the band within the local community.

In 2008 David was invited to become the Musical Director for the Odiham and District Scout Fellowship Pantomime. As well taking music rehearsals this requires David to arrange all the music for the entire show for the pit orchestra.

In 2009 David took and passed the London College of Music Licentiate Conducting diploma.

On 1st January 2010 David was appointed the new Musical Director for Hart Male Voice Choir. A new opportunity and challenge for David, which he is looking forward to.

David's philosophy and approach to the band and music is "What can we play/do which will make us stand out from the crowd and get us invited back again to perform."