Royal Air Force Music Services

Royal Air Force Music Services is the organization which provides military musical support to the Royal Air Force. Based at RAF Northolt (previously at RAF Uxbridge) and RAF Cranwell, it forms the central administration of one hundred and seventy musicians divided between the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, The Band of the Royal Air Force College, The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment and Headquarters Music Services. These main military bands contain within their ranks the Royal Air Force Squadronnaires, Royal Air Force Swing Wing, Royal Air Force Shades of Blue, and The Salon Orchestra of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

Royal Air Force Music Services' primary role is to provide musical support to Royal Air Force and related charity events worldwide thus enhancing the public perception of the Royal Air Force as a whole. However, the Royal Air Force's musicians also undertake operational roles both as individuals and as a unit. From the concert stage to operational theatres around the globe Royal Air Force Musicians perform to the highest traditions of the Service in whichever role they are asked to fulfil.

The RAF Music Services' Principal Director of Music is Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs.

With the establishment of the Royal Air Force in 1918, Dr Walford Davies was invited to become the RAF's first Organising Director of Music. Davies established the RAF School of Music and began to train trumpet majors and band instructors. Davies also wrote the Royal Air Force March Past, the official march of the Royal Air Force, in 1918. With the end of the War many RAF musicians were demobilized although some were retained to form a band. Davies left the Service in 1919.

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