Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Dr. G. O. Jones MBE

DMA MMus FTCL FRSA FICL (Hons) ARCM psm



President, London Band Week

Graham started his military career as a musician in the Royal Artillery Band. In 1981 he enrolled at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, successfully graduating the Bandmaster's Course. Following several army band appointments during which he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, Graham returned to the Royal Military School of Music in 2000 as Officer Commanding, Training Development Team.

In 2001 Graham achieved his life-long ambition and was appointed the 16th Director of Music, The Coldstream Guards, frequently providing musical support for the Changing of the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace, in addition to other ceremonial duties and state occasions.

Music education is a passion for Graham. As a leader he was the first Army Director of Music to gain a Doctorate of Music Arts (DMA). Graham became the Senior Director of Music for the Household Division in 2007, a pinnacle point in a glittering career spanning almost 40 years of military service.

Lieutenant Colonel Craig Hallatt

BA (Mus) LRSM ALCM CAMUS

Patron, London Band Week

Craig’s passion for music started in childhood at the age of 7 when he was handed a trumpet. Music education was pursued throughout school and as a hobby in local community bands, after which Craig joined the Army in 1985. At the turn of the millennium, Craig graduated the selective Bandmaster’s Course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, and by the end of the decade  had completed postings with the Lowland Band of the Scottish Division and The Life Guards.

In September 2011, Craig was appointed Director of Music of The Royal Artillery, Woolwich Band. After serving as Officer Commanding Training and Development, Craig was appointed to be the Director of Music of the Band of the Household Cavalry. In September 2018 Craig became the Chief Instructor at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. Following his posting at the School of Music, Craig achieved a lifelong ambition by becoming Director of Music, Band of the Welsh Guards. Soon after, Craig was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed as the Principal Director of Music of the British Army and Commanding Officer of the Royal Military School of Music.

A keen composer, Craig's music was performed at the Classic FM Live concert 2018 by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition,  several CDs have been released; the most successful, Elegy, reached No.12 in the Classic Charts and more recently he has had his composition Balmoral Farewell peak at No.9 in the German Classical Charts. Most recently, his work Carolean Jubilate (Jubilation in the Age of King Charles III) composed to celebrate the coronation of their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, was presented to the King and Queen in London.

Major (Retd) Steven Collins



Patron, London Band Week

Alongside being an award winning sportsperson at international level, Steven spent much of his time as a teenager playing music in his local marching band. For him it was the perfect balance of activities to complement his academic studies, and Steven is the first to point out that the skills acquired during his time in the marching band were not limited to only music and marching.

Upon graduation, Steven enlisted in the British Army, serving first in The Parachute Regiment for 10 years before passing selection for the UK's Special Forces where he spent a further 10 years at the forefront of global operations as an Officer Commanding. His professional career taught him that teamwork, endless practice and loyalty were key ingredients for success.

Steven is a passionate advocate for helping young people to realise their true potential.

Married to Chrissy, who he met in Germany at a marching band festival, they have 3 children who Steven encourages to participate in music.

London Band Week Production Team

The London Band Week Production Team has several hundred years of combined experience, including band leadership, direction, event production, music education, professional services, civil service, the military, hospitality and tourism. There are even a few from Financial Services. They are all musicians who have marched the parades and played the concerts, both internationally and domestically. They form an unprecedented network empowered to deliver a world class week in London.