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Frank-Renton

A veteran interview with

Frank Renton

Lt. Col. Frank Renton, who led the bands of the Gordon Highlanders, the Paras, and the Royal Artillery before becoming principal director of music at Kneller Hall, looks back at his 33 years in Army music and wonders how a self-confessed “second-rate trumpet player” achieved so much.

But his love for the Army and its musicians does not stop him expressing strong concerns about its future direction.

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About Frank Renton

For 33 years, Frank Renton climbed the ranks of the British Army, starting out as a trumpet player in the Band of the Royal Horse Guards and ending as Principal Director of Music at Kneller Hall.

He shares memories of his various roles along the way, including Head Brass Tutor at the Guards Division School of Music; Bandmaster of the Gordon Highlanders; Captain, Director of Music of the Parachute Regiment; and Senior Director of the Royal Artillery Band.

Frank talks about some of the highlights and challenges of his illustrious career, and gives a fascinating insight into the skills required to lead a band not just in a musical arrangement but also in a live-fire defensive operation.

Although deeply grateful to the Army for all of the opportunities it opened up for him and the tremendous career he had as a result, Frank is also very clear on the ways in which improvements need to be made in order to secure the future of military musicians in the UK.

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Reviewed by:
Caroline Barratt
Transcribed by:
Gillian Cousins

Transcripts:
Please note that transcripts and closed captions in the video player are automatically generated by Vimeo.

If you would like a version of the transcript that has been transcribed manually by Gillian Cousins, please complete this form or email info@legasee.org.uk.

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Home | Veterans | Frank Renton

A veteran interview with

Frank Renton

Frank-Renton

Lt. Col. Frank Renton, who led the bands of the Gordon Highlanders, the Paras, and the Royal Artillery before becoming principal director of music at Kneller Hall, looks back at his 33 years in Army music and wonders how a self-confessed “second-rate trumpet player” achieved so much.

But his love for the Army and its musicians does not stop him expressing strong concerns about its future direction.

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Renton, Frank. A Veteran Interview with Frank Renton. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/frank-renton/. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.
APA Style:
Renton, F. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Frank Renton [Interview by Unknown]. Legasee. Retrieved August 17, 2026, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/frank-renton/
Chicago Style:
Renton, Frank. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with Frank Renton. Interview by Unknown. Legasee. Accessed August 17, 2026. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/frank-renton/
Harvard Style:
Renton, F. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Frank Renton. [Interviewed by Unknown]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/frank-renton/ (Accessed: 17 August 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Renton, F. A Veteran Interview with Frank Renton [Internet]. Interview by Unknown. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2026 Aug 17]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/frank-renton/
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