Paul Hooper grew up in South Wales and began playing the trombone at the age of six in the local Salvation Army. During his formative years, he won numerous competitions, including winning the Brass Final of the Dyfed County Young Musician of the Year. He was also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.

In 1994, Paul joined the British Army as a musician, subsequently winning the Frank Wright Prize for the Best Brass Player of his year and the Cousin’s Memorial Prize, Silver Medal, for the best instrumentalist during musical training at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. Paul was then assigned to the Band of the Irish Guards, where he served for 26 years, with much of that time as the principal trombone. He has played on numerous state ceremonial occasions including the annual Queen’s Birthday Parade and the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Notable highlights of his time in the Band of the Irish Guards were performing with the Household Division Fanfare Team with Robbie Williams at Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert on The Mall in 2012 and performing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018.