The Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Concert Band is very fortunate to have been under the directorship of Martin Andrew BMus (Hons), MA PGDip, since July 2015.
Born in Burnley, Lancashire in 1971, Martin developed an interest in percussion at the age of 5 and thereafter progressed through school and youth music groups, becoming principal percussionist for the Lancashire Students Training Orchestra in 1985. Later that year Martin joined the Lancashire Students Symphony Orchestra and studied with John Moate, principal timpanist with the Hallé Orchestra, Manchester.
In 1988 Martin joined the Royal Marines Band Service and went on to serve for 24 years, including time on board the Royal Yacht Britannia and as Percussion Instructor at The Royal Marines School of Music, Portsmouth. In 2006 Martin was chosen to undertake the Performance Master’s Degree programme at Salford University, graduating in 2008. Following retirement from the Royal Marines Band Service in 2011, Martin joined the Royal Navy Careers Service and was promoted to the position of South West Recruiting Manager in December 2017.
Martin lives in Exmouth with his wife Kym and daughter Katie, who herself has played saxophone with the Concert Band. Martin enjoys sport, listening to music and performing with local musical ensembles throughout the South West.
