Ian Mitchell's Page

Ian Mitchell was born in Scunthorpe in 1968, and started studying the classical guitar at the age of 7 under John Gladwin, the trombone at the age of 9 and the piano at 11. By the age of 14 Ian had gained a distinction at Grade VIII on the trombone and was studying trombone at Huddersfield University under Barrie Webb.

On July 2nd 1985 he enlisted into Junior Leaders’ Regiment (Royal Armoured Corps) where he spent two years training to join the regular Army. On 28th August 1987 he Passed Out of training having qualified as an Associate and later a Licentiate of the London College of Music, a grade VIII pianist, and the winner of prizes for brass playing, piano playing, violin playing and theoretical studies; he was cap-badged to join the Band of the Blues and Royals, where on 10th November 1987, he commenced his Equitation Training in Windsor which he completed in Knightsbridge in May 1988.

In 1989 Ian attended the year long Pupil’s Course at the Royal Military School of Music where he won the Cousins Memorial Prize, the Cassell’s Prize and the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Silver Medal. During the summer concert season of 1990, he became the only Pupil ever to conduct his own original march in a concert on the bandstand at Kneller Hall.

In 1993, as a Lance Corporal, he left the Blues and Royals Band for a year to take his place upon the Household Cavalry Musical Ride as the Band Liaison NCO in charge of the Fanfare Team; during that year the Team and the Ride toured the UK, Germany and Holland. He returned to the Band in December 1994. During his 10 years of service with the Blues and Royals he served in Canada, North America, Germany, Bosnia, Cyprus, Holland and France.

In January 1998 Ian took his place on the Student Bandmaster Course at the Royal Military School of Music; he graduated in November 2000 having won the Original Composition Prize for his Callithumpian Concert Overture, and the Choral Composition Prize for his setting of Wordsworth’s Reflections.

Having been awarded a BA (Hons) Degree specialising in composition and conducting, Ian was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One and appointed Bandmaster of the King’s Division Normandy Band in Weeton, Lancashire, where he took post in January 2001. Over the next four years, Ian served in Canada, The Falkland Islands, Bosnia and Northern Ireland. In November 2004 he had the privilege of being appointed Bandmaster of the Irish Guards where he is currently serving. In 2005 Ian was granted the status of Graduate of the City and Guilds Institute (GCGI) in leadership and management; this was upgraded to Member of the City and Guilds Institute (MCGI) in April 2007.

Ian regularly composes for wind ensembles (symphonic and chamber) and for choir; these compositions are often for use within his military duties, but equally for his own satisfaction. In 2007 Ian was appointed Musical Director of Da Capo Concert Band in North London and Potters Bar Town Band.