Crest of the Central Band of the RAF
The Central Band of the Royal Air Force is a military band, and the RAF's main band. It has brass, percussion and woodwind instruments. Like the RAF's two other bands, the Central Band is part of the Royal Air Force Music Services. The band was formed in 1920.
History[]
The Band (also known as the RAF Central Band) was formed in 1920, shortly after the RAF had been formed in 1918. The RAF College Band was formed at the same time. On 22 April 1922, it became the first military band to broadcast on BBC Radio in London. It was the first military band to release an LP. Their version of the Theme from the Dam Busters reached No. 18 in October 1955, spending one week in the UK Top 20.
Personnel[]
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The Central Band at the funeral of Margaret Thatcher.
All band members are fully trained military personnel. The current band master is Warrant Officer Skelton LRSM LTCL ALCM. The Current Director of Music is Flight Lieutenant Piers L Morrell LRSM LTCL DipTCL RAF
See also[]
- The Squadronaires - The RAF's 'Big Band' style group.
External links[]
Audio clips[]
- Flute solo
- RAF March Past - famous piece by Sir Henry Walford Davies
- Battle of Britain Suite: Battle in the Air (1995 recording)
- Battle of Britain Suite: Prelude
The original article can be found at Central Band of the Royal Air Force and the edit history here.