New Musical Director at St. Ronans
St. Ronan's Silver Band has appointed Alex Knox as its new Conductor. Alex conducted the Band at the 2006 Scottish Championships and following the resignation of David McLeod, he has been appointed as the Band's full-time Conductor. David made the decision to step down after almost four years at the helm. Since David came to the Band, there have had many successes, including a win in the Borders Entertainment Contest and promotion to the 2nd Section for the first time in the Band?s long history. There have also been many memorable concert programmes enjoyed by hundreds of the Band's supporters. David has taken this decision, not to join another band, but to enable him to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his playing and work commitments.
Alex Knox was born in Edinburgh in 1966. He took up music when he joined Newbattle High School in Midlothian, where he was taught Cornet, Tenor Horn and eventually French Horn. After obtaining Higher Music at School, he followed the footsteps of his three elder bothers and joined the Army as a musician, when he enlisted into the Royal Scots at the Junior Infantry Depot in Aberdeen in 1983. After a further year's musical training at the Royal Military School of Music (Kneller Hall), he was posted to the Regimental Band of the 1st Battalion The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) where he served in Germany, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In 1991 he carried out his secondary role as a Medical Assistant in the 1st Gulf War.
In 1992, he was selected to attend the 3-year Bandmaster's Course, again at the Royal Military School of Music. On completion of this course in 1995, he was awarded 7 prizes including best original composition and best overall Student Bandmaster. He also attained the highest marks in the Ministry of Defence Bandmaster examinations and was awarded with the Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians for musical achievement. In 1996, he was appointed Bandmaster of The Gibraltar Regiment, where he spent 18 months before taking up the appointment as Bandmaster of the Light Division in Winchester. In January 2000, Captain Alex Knox was commissioned and appointed as Director of Music of the Royal Irish Regiment. Captain Knox retired from the Army in 2006.
Both the Band and Alex are looking forward to working together on the many projects planned for the future.
