Michael Miller Clarinet			Born in Manchester in 1961 Michael was introduced to the Clarinet aged 8 years, starting lessons at the Manchester School of Music. His early progress was swift leading to joining his first orchestra aged 12 years. At this time Michael was tutored by the famous jazz musician John Hallam, and it was he that broadened further his musical background by introducing Michael to the saxophone which resulted in a place in the Manchester Youth Stage Band, based on and with strong connections to the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. In 1974 Michael auditioned for and won a place in the Manchester Youth Orchestra fending off tough opposition from the Chethams Music School based in Manchester. Michael spent the next 3 years touring with the orchestra in the UK and Europe before leaving in 1977 to join the Royal Marines Band Service. At the Royal Marines School of Music further musical development continued, at first under Leonard Foster, and then for the majority of his time at the School under William Kenchington, who, Michael says, “had the biggest influence on my playing, and gave me inspiration, which culminated in winning the prestigious Cassel Prize for solo performance”. Over 22 years as a musician in the Royal Marines Band Service Michael has performed all over the world in many of the leading concert halls, and performed regularly at numerous prestigious major national and international events. He has recorded regularly at Abbey Road and Sony Studios and his interest in music is wide-ranging. As a jazz soloist Michael has recorded the Arty Show Clarinet concerto, released on the ‘Ashokan Farewell’ CD to great critical acclaim. He has also recorded as a jazz saxophonist on the ‘Big Band Sound’, the first ever Big Band recording made by the Royal Marines, and again in 1999 on ‘Wind Machine’ this time in his current role as leader of the ‘Royal Band’.