Clarinettist, Tom Griffin (MC08-0289-01)
21 July 2008
Tom Griffin, a musician in Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Band Service in the United Kingdom, joined the Royal New Zealand Navy Band in April this year on a 5 month exchange programme.
The 21 year old military bandsman was born in Worcester, England and started playing the clarinet aged ten. After completing his school exams, Tom joined the Royal Marines Band Service in September 2003. After 15 weeks of strenuous basic training he joined the Royal Marines School of Music and began his musical training. On completion, Tom joined his first (and current) band in the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon and is employed as a solo clarinettist - meaning he gets to solo quite a bit in front of audiences.
Tom will return to the United Kingdom in early August but gave himself one huge challenge before he departs.
At 2:30 pm on Wednesday 23 July he completed a 192 metre skyjump from the Auckland Skytower to raise funds for Starship Childrens Hospital. Tom, and the Navy Band, did a tin-shake for Starship at their last public concert and he has been actively fund-raising for his chosen charity in and around Auckland.
Tom was supported by the Navy Band who played melodies before and after the skyjump. Ten minutes before the skyjump the heavens opened with torrential rain but someone was smiling upon Tom as the sun peeped out just prior to his adrenalin fuelled jump!
Mission accomplished, Tom is now looking forward to being reunited with family and friends in his home country.