British Army Band Catterick
Director of Music
Captain Ben Ruffer
Captain Ruffer started his musical journey as a Chorister at Chichester Cathedral where he spent five years singing at eight services a week, during this time he learnt Violin, Trumpet, Piano, and Organ.
Having joined the Army in 2003 as a Trumpet player and after completing his training at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall he was posted to The Band of The Life Guards.
In September 2013, he returned to Kneller Hall qualifying as a Bandmaster in August the following year. Upon completion he was assigned to The Band of The Royal Armoured Corps. In March 2017, he was posted back to the Household Cavalry, this time as Bandmaster. At the end of 2019 he was selected to work in Wiltshire delivering strategic and operational planning for recruiting into British Army Music.
In February 2021 Ben was commissioned as a Captain and appointed as the Corps Sergeant Major becoming the Senior Soldier within Army Music. He was appointed Director of Music, British Army Band Catterick in April 2023.