Director

The Musical Director is Neil Warillow.

Neil Warrillow was born and educated in Stoke-on-Trent, receiving tuition on the drum kit from the age of 14 from Brian Stone. He played with the Longton and Fenton Wind Orchestra, and was an active member of various Staffordshire County Bands.

On joining the Royal Air Force in 1980 and on completion of basic training at RAF Swinderby he was posted to undertake trade training at the RAF School of Music, RAF Uxbridge. He completed tours of The Band of the RAF College, The Band of RAF Germany, The Band of the RAF Regiment and Central Band of the RAF. Finishing his RAF career as Bandmaster of the Band of the RAF Regiment and retiring from the Royal Air Force in 2015.

He has performed in many parts of the world most notably Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, Turkey, Falkland Islands and most countries in Europe. In 2010 Neil organised the Central Band of the RAF’s historic trip to Moscow to take part in the Red Square Parade, the first time a member of NATO has taken part in the parade in its 65 year history. Organising Central Band of the RAF’s involvement in the Olympics 2012 was also a high point. Where the band performed every day, of the Olympic two weeks, at different venues including the Beach Volleyball Finale.

Now his day job is conducting in a rather different way, as a Funeral Director. He is a manager within a growing independent family run company, which this year, has celebrated its 160th anniversary.