The Kneller Hall Club
The Kneller Hall Club was established one hundred years ago, primarily to bring together graduates of the bandmaster course, serving and retired. The inaugural meeting was held on the 15th December 1923 with a Conference at Kneller Hall followed by a dinner in the evening at the Café Monico at Piccadilly Circus. Seven of the army’s ten Directors of Music attended, along with fifty-one Bandmasters.
The Club’s activities ceased during the war years but were revived in 1947 with annual dinners held at venues such as the Criterion Restaurant and the Victory Club, and eventually Club Night became linked to one of Kneller Hall’s summer concerts, keeping alive long-standing friendships across the generations.
President – Kneller Hall Club
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Kevin Roberts MBE
Joining the Army in 1982, Kevin has been involved in military music for more than forty years and has held keys roles within the Kneller Hall Club for thirty years – including appointments as Secretary, Chairman and President. He retired from regular military service in 2021, culminating in appointments as both Senior Director of Music Household Division and as Principal Director of Music of the Army.
Career highlights include conducting the BAFTA-awarded National Centenary Commemorative events for the battles of Somme and Passchendaele in 2016 and the hugely enjoyable role of Senior Director of Music, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
For many years, international training development has been a key focus for Kevin. Since leaving the Army he has worked as an Expert Consultant for Boston Consulting Group in developing the strategy and operating model for military music in Saudi Arabia. He has recently been appointed as the Military Music Advisor to Saudi Arabia. In addition to this, he is the international training development consultant for Edinburgh Tattoo and also the National Director of Music for St John Ambulance.
Kevin was greatly honoured to be selected as President of the Kneller Hall Club – following a particularly difficult period in the club’s history – and is driven to encourage fellowship and opportunities for cooperation between club members.