MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Robert Smith BMus (Hons)

Robert began playing the trumpet at age 11, passing his grade 8 with honours within four years. He went on to study for a performance degree at the Birmingham Conservatoire, where he received tuition from some of the country's finest trumpet principals.

During this time Robert performed with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta, and was a member of several brass quintets and groups. On completion of his degree, he moved to Hampshire where he began peripatetic brass teaching and conducting with the Hampshire Schools Music Service, whilst pursuing a varied freelance career.

Robert joined the Corps of Army Music in 2005 and, after graduating from the Royal Military School of Music, took up his post with the Band of the Adjutant General's Corps. During this time Robert moved his studies to the tuba and gained a performance diploma from Trinity College of Music.

Robert is currently studying for a further degree on the prestigious Student Bandmaster Course at the Royal Military School of Music, and took up his role as Music Director of the Bourne Concert Band of Woking in September 2010.

Robert is married to Melissa and they have two young children, Thomas and Samuel.

DEPUTY CONDUCTOR
Steve Waters
Born in Salisbury, Wilts and attended Bishop Wordsworth’s Grammar School.

Apart from my family history of music and church activities singing in choir, playing piano in Sunday School and performing in The Drama Society which included singing in pantomimes and later playing double-bass, BWS was a huge influence on my musical life.  It had a long and strong musical tradition and under the influence of several excellent teachers and many musical friends I sang in the Chapel Choir, Madrigal Group and Choral Society while also scratching at the violin for a few unsuccessful terms before going on to trombone and double-bass.

My teacher training was at Southland’s College, Wimbledon then to schools in Stoneleigh and Croydon. I joined the army in Jan 1974 and as soon as I finished learning how to march joined my band, Welsh Guards.

Playing double-bass, bass guitar and bass trombone the band gave my much valuable experience in a variety of styles, dashing here and there before I decided to return to teaching in Sept 1978 teaching music in Middle schools in Wimbledon until 2002 then the next four years teaching mostly ICT in Ursuline High School, Wimbledon, before retiring in December 2006.

Steve is married to Kate and they have twin girls Alice and Marguerite, who has played clarinet with BCB on occasions.