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(SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11) CARIBBEAN boat passengers are in for a musical treat from a Weston Turville man who has just landed a four-month contract on a cruise ship.
David Young, 62, of Bates Lane, flew to America on Saturday join the Carnival Miracle as part of the 10-piece showband playing the baritone saxophone twice nightly in Broadway style musical revues.
He started playing clarinet at the age of 13, but over the years his interest has grown to the extent that he can now play soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone and he is also a private tutor to adults and children.
Mr Young is no stranger to being away from home for lengthy periods of time having served for over 30 years as a broadcast engineer with the British Forces Broadcasting Service in Cyprus, Malta, Hong Kong, Germany and the Falklands.
For the last 16 years he has played with the RAF Halton wind band, clarinet ensemble and big band.
Mr Young said: "I am totally elated to think that I got this opportunity at this time in my life. They thought this guy's worth paying for and when you have done something voluntary like this for so long it's great to see it being recognised. Musically, I am on top of the world at the moment."
He added that his wife, Virginia, is used to him leaving her to go off on his travels.
He said: "It's not the first time I've left home for so long and my wife got used to it through my job. I was in the Falklands for four months and that went by very quickly for both of us.
"I have been involved in the Forces all my working life and we have fantastic neighbours who always offer to help Virginia if she ever needs it."
Since retiring he decided to try for a professional music job and he was attracted to the idea of performing on cruise ships.
He noticed that Carnival Cruises were looking for showband musicians so he posted his music CV, photo and letter of introduction to the head office in November.
As part of the process, Mr Young had to take part in a sight reading test over the telephone from Miami, which he completed in mid November.
He also had to take part in an intense BUPA medical in London where he was pronounced fit for the job.
The ship he will be working on travels from Tampa in Florida to various locations around the Caribbean.
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Weather for Aylesbury
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
