Trumpet Player and Composer/Arranger Cam Earl's academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Music from the University of Melbourne. On completion of his degree, he worked extensively as a freelance musician and teacher prior to a career playing and writing for Defence bands. Cam has had an active musical career both inside and outside of Defence and in 2011 released his own album of original music. He was a finalist in the James Morrison Brass Prize at the 2010 Melbourne International Brass Festival, and in 2011 a finalist in the prestigious Australian Big Band Composition Competition.