Jonathan Lush-Camps LRSM was born in 1962 near Coombe into a musical family. His mother, Jean, was known as a fine mezzo-soprano singer, whilst his father, Hugh, will be remembered by many as a competitor at Bugle as both a player and conductor with St Dennis and Bugle Silver Bands. After early cornet lessons from his father, Jonathan joined the St Dennis Youth Band in 1974, at that time the National Champion Youth Band of Great Britain. He also became a pupil of E J Williams, one of Cornwall’s brass banding legends.

After leaving school in 1979 he joined the Royal Marines School of Music at Deal in Kent, playing cornet and violin, passing out of training in March 1982. He was to remain in the Royal Marines Band Service for twenty-three years, performing at many ceremonial occasions at places around the world, including a period as lead violinist on board HMY Britannia.

He was selected for Bandmaster training in 1992 and distinguished himself by winning the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians for being the top student. He also won the Chappell prize for conducting and gained the LRSM diploma.

Throughout his service career, Jonathan maintained a passionate interest in brass bands. He conducted and played for many bands across the West of England and is still fully active in the movement. He lives with his wife and family in the New Forest, and his son, Oliver, is an enthusiastic member of the Acorns Band run by Verwood Concert Brass.

Band of the Royal Marines, Plymouth

He was appointed Deportment Adjudicator at the 2022 West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest) and said, “I am excited to have this opportunity to give something back to this wonderful Festival which has done so much to inspire the enthusiasm of many young Cornish people to become part of our brass banding culture. I firmly believe that my attendance as a youngster at Bugle Contest is what has given me a life-long appreciation of music in general, and brass band music in particular. I am particularly happy to have an excuse to attend for the next several years!”.