Don was born and raised in Bournemouth, and joined the Royal Marines School of Music at Deal in 1976, as a bassoonist. He served with the Royal Marines Band Service for the next 32 years, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer Bandmaster. Whilst in the Royal Marines Band Service he served all over the world. The D-Day 60th anniversary celebrations and the closure of Hong Kong were just two highlights from a long and varied career.
Since leaving the Royal Marines Band Service Don has carved out a second career as a music teacher. In 2008, he was appointed as the teacher of music (later as the Directo of learning Music) at the Bourne Community College, Southbourne, West Sussex where he gained his teaching qualification after completing the Graduate Teacher Programme and completed this in June 2009. He has since taught at several schools in West Sussex as Head of Music and Deputy Head Teacher.
In September 2018 he joined St Catherine’s school, Bramley where is the Symphony Orchestra conductor, Bassoon teacher and Classroom music teacher. He also works for Southampton Music Service as a Woodwind Teacher and Musical Director for the Brassroots brass band.
Outside of Education he keeps busy as the Musical Director of Meridian Winds, and July 2019 Don was invited to become a tutor for the European Youth Music Scheme (EYSM) which is a summer course held annually. He taught the Bassoon and was a chamber group leader.
Don is a member of St Georges church, Waterlooville and has been on the committee for the Waterlooville Music Festival since it began. He joined The Flash in February 2021 and presents ‘Welcome To Sunday’ on the Flash each Sunday morning from 7.00 – 7.30am. This programme often features a more orchestral form of Real Music, along with community notices and local news from the greater Waterlooville area.