The band are delighted to announce that Sam Barrand has accepted the invitation to be the band’s Musical Director.  Sam has been working with the band since the new year and bring a wealth of musical knowledge and expertise to the band.   Band Director Paul Binder said ” not only does she conduct and teach at the band, she is a talented and enthusiastic musician who has written and arranged music for the band for forthcoming performances.  She is popular with the band members and is a valued and welcome addition to the staff. ”

Samantha Barrand, BA (Hons.) Music, A.V.C.M. (Hons.)

Samantha first began studying music at The Ursuline Preparatory School in Brentwood, where she learnt recorder and piano. She later developed this musical interest by taking up the violin, saxophone and drums at The Cooper’s Company & Coborn School, in Upminster where she was awarded a Jack Petchy Award for Music in 2009.

In June 2013 Samantha graduated from Colchester Institute with her BA (Hons.) in Music. Whilst in her second year studying at Colchester she was a winner of the Concerto Competition.

Throughout her time at school and university Samantha has been a part of many different musical ensembles as a performer and conductor, ranging from playing for musicals, saxophone quartet ‘One Screw Loose’, Dixie group ‘TradJazzled’ and larger scale organizations such as Symphonic Wind Orchestras and other local youth bands.

Sam Barrand

In September 2013 Samantha began her Master’s in Music at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, where she has been awarded one of the college’s postgraduate woodwind scholarships. She currently studies with some of the top musical professionals in the country.

Samantha’s passion for music and helping others around her develop their abilities further led her to begin working with the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps as a conductor in January 2014. The Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps ensures it gives its members the best help to nurture the talent within the youth band. In May 2014 the band gave Samantha the title of Musical Director which she was delighted to accept and looks forward to the future working with the band.