Former DYJA Student Plays His Part in the Jubilee Trooping of the Colour

As the Queen's platinum jubilee celebrations draw to a close, we are delighted to share that one of our former students played a key part in the Trooping of the Colour parade. 

Bandmaster, Colour Sergeant Dean Nixon, who joined DYJA on Saxophone back in 1988, topped a long list of musicians to have his arrangement included in the music for the parade. 

The piece he arranged was entitled 'Ladysmith' and was performed by the Band of the Irish Guards as part of the spectacular that was a key feature in the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. 

Distinguished Career

CSgt Nixon has an impressive CV as a professional musician; from his early days with DYJA, he has performed with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO), taking a week's residency at the famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and continued his impressive career touring and playing with the West End. He regularly performed with the BBC Big Band and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and has taken part in several national tours with the Four Tops and Temptations, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis and Barry Manilow before joining the Corps of Army Music in 2008. 

From there, CSgt Nixon has undertaken many roles and achieved a number of accolades within the military music field. We are very proud to call CSgt Nixon a DYJA alumni member and congratulate him on his incredible achievements, particulary being featured in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Trooping of the Colour Parade.