Musical Director

KEITH WHITTALL - Director of Music
Keith was born in Manchester and began his musical career in a local brass band at the age of 10 years, later he was a member of the Manchester youth orchestra.

He entered the Royal Marines Band Service in 1956 where he studied the cornet at the Royal Marines School of Music in Deal, Kent, under Professor Walter Hargreaves. During the 25 years with the Royal Marines he served in various H.M. Ships and travelled extensively. Keith completed his service career as a Warrant Officer Bandmaster at the Royal Marine Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, Devon in 1981. From there he joined the Devon and Cornwall Police Band as Director of Music where he stayed for 3 years. An opportunity arose for him to go to the Sultanate of Oman to teach music to the Arab members of the Omani Navy Band and he completed a successful 2 year tour. Keith rejoined the Devon and Cornwall Police Band in May 1986.

Keith took up the baton as Director of Music of the Exmouth Town Concert Band in June 1998.

Band Secretary

DEREK ROBERTS - Band Secretary
Derek was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire and began his association with the Royal Marines at the age of 11 years by being a member of the Royal Marine Cadets at Eastney Barracks for some 3 years.

At the age of 14 years, he joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 1962 in Deal Kent, where he studied clarinet under Professor Ken Mettyear and violin under Professor Lew Becker. Derek served in various bands and travelled throughout the world, even to driving a Green Goddess (fire engine) for three months in Glasgow during the fireman's strike of 1977. Derek completed his service career in Plymouth Group Band after having served for 16 years.
He then joined the Devon and Cornwall Police in 1978 and continued with his music by being a member of the constabulary band, although a brass band, Derek made 'noises' in the percussion section and was the bands soloist. Due to an unfortunate accident Derek was retired from the police in 1993 but continued to play with the band until its disbandment by the Chief Constable Maria Wallace in December 2004. It was on his retirement that he joined the Exmouth Town Concert Band and within months was cajoled into the post of Band Secretary, the post which he holds today.