Award for Excellence for Yeovilton's Band Master
EXUBERANT and highly professional Band Colour Sergeant (CSgt) Tom Crane has been awarded the Commodores Award for Excellence at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton.
Tom has been the Volunteer Band Instructor since May 2011 and was a newly qualified Band Master when inherited the Volunteer Band who were already performing to a very high standard. Through his selfless endeavours he has further enhanced their musical prowess and profile, significantly broadening their combined portfolio and band membership.
With his proactive, tenacious and highly professional manner Tom has developed individual skill sets within the Band. Under his leadership the Band has performed at a wide range of traditional military functions, formal parades and dinners. In addition, the Band’s talent is such that it is in great demand to perform at a plethora of civilian functions, including the Christmas Carol Service under the Wings of Concord in the Fleet Air Arm Museum an annual Band Festival in Cologne Germany. These community performances not only increase the reputation of the Band but also generate significant positive PR for the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton.
Investing many hours of his own time Tom has engendered amongst his disparate group a strong sense of team spirit, pride and ethos. Striving for excellence, he has ensured that all performances are delivered to the highest of musical and military standards; this is especially commendable considering the range of musical experience and the large number of civilians within the Band. Enthusiastic, approachable and patient his tutorage of individuals of all ages and experience has ensured that the Volunteer Band is vibrant, animated and highly regarded. Tom said:
“I have particularly enjoyed the bands outreach aspect and educational collaborations with local schools. A career in military music has offered me opportunities I would not get anywhere else.’
With selfless investment it is evident in the quality of the music produced by the Volunteer Band and high regard in which they are held by both Service and civilian communities just how far Tom has brought the Band. Professional and proficient it is a most noteworthy contribution to the development of the Volunteer Band coupled with enhancing the profile of the Air Station that Tom receives the CAFÉ Award presented by Commander Terry Tyack on behalf of Commodore Jock Alexander OBE.
Tom will now be drafted back to Plymouth where he looks forward to spending more time with his wife Emma and their two young daughters aged four and three.