n 1993, Nick Dawson became Musical Director of the City of Southampton (Albion) Band, beginning a long and important period in the Band’s musical history. Remarkably, just six weeks after taking up the position, Nick led the Band on its first tour to Germany.
Nick’s own musical journey had begun at the age of 12, playing trombone and euphonium with school groups and a local Boys’ Brigade brass band. He was subsequently invited to join the Hampshire Youth Concert Band, conducted by Mr John Knight.
During this period Nick performed at prestigious venues and events including Colston Hall in Bristol, the Royal Albert Hall, Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh and Horse Guards Parade as part of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Parade. His music also took him overseas to Legoland in Denmark, and he became well known as a trombone soloist.
In the early 1980s Nick began conducting, initially working with youth groups and later with adult bands including Redbridge Brass and the Hampshire Ambulance Band. While playing with a local swing band, he also gained valuable experience performing under Kneller Hall-trained Directors of Music Major Gerry McCall of the Life Guards Band and Major Roger Swift of the Coldstream Guards Band.
After becoming Musical Director of Albion in 1993, Nick went on to lead the Band on numerous overseas tours, including three tours to Germany, three tours to Portugal and a tour to Madeira.
Under his direction the Band performed at venues including the Bournemouth Bandstand and St James’s Park, London, while continuing Albion’s historic association with Southampton Docks by playing for the departures of cruise ships. One particularly notable occasion was the maiden voyage of Queen Mary 2.
Nick also led the Band through a number of recordings and important ceremonial performances. In 2013, he conducted the Band in Winchester Cathedral in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal.
Alongside his work with Albion, Nick continued to perform with other local musical groups and was also a member of the Hampshire Police Band.
From a young trombone and euphonium player to Musical Director of the City of Southampton (Albion) Band, Nick’s musical life became closely intertwined with the Band he took over in 1993.