Royal Australian Air Force Band

Royal Australian Air Force Band
U.S. Naval Musician Hunt Gibson, (right), talks with Flight Sgt. Eden Stubbings (left) of the R.A.A.F. Central Band during rehearsals for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012.
Active 1952 (1952)
Country  Australia
Branch Royal Australian Air Force
Garrison/HQ Canberra
Nickname(s) R.A.A.F. Central Band
Central Band Of The Royal Australian Air Force
Motto(s) Harmony and Fellowship
March Royal Air Force March Past
Anniversaries RAAF Day – 31 March
Commanders
Current
commander		 SQDLR Mark Pentreath, CSM
Insignia
Ensign of the Royal Australian Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force Band (RAAF Band) is the Royal Australian Air Force's official musical branch. The current commanding officer is Squadron Leader Mark Pentreath, CSM. The director of music of the band is Flight Lieutenant Daniel Phillips.

History

The band was formed in 1952 as the RAAF Central Band in Laverton, a suburb of Melbourne. The band was formed mainly from musicians in the United Kingdom, with the conductor of the Black Watch Regimental Band, Laurence Hicks being invited to be the band's first director of music. The first Australian to join the band was cornet player David Reynolds, who served from 1952 until 1974. It merged with the Richmond Air Command Band in 2008 to form the Air Force Band. [1][2]

Mission

The Air Force Band’s mission is to promote and enhance the image, reputation and culture of the Air Force through music. The band represents the RAAF at significant events in Australia and abroad.

Structure

Ceremonial Band

The Royal Australian Air Force Band provides a vital ceremonial role through the Ceremonial Band. The Ceremonial Band can be deployed as a marching or seated formation and comprises a Drum Major, brass and woodwind sections, fanfare team, buglers and drum corps. The Ceremonial Band provides musical support for Australian Defence Force ceremonial activities, as well as events sponsored by Federal, State, and Local Governments. It plays a crucial role in celebrating Air Force events and achievements, including welcoming new recruits and their families into the Air Force community at graduation parades, and honoring the service to Australia by our Airwomen and Airmen at commemorations.

Of significant importance is the role the Ceremonial Band plays in representing Air Force on occasions of National celebration and remembrance, at community festivals and street parades. Internationally, the Ceremonial Band rugularly represents Australia at cultural events including ANZAC Day commemorations a Gallipoli-Turkey, Villers-Bretonneux-France, and has attended international military tattoos in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Tonga and South Korea.

Concert Band

The Concert Band is the main musical ensemble of the band.

Big Band

The Big Band is the band's main jazz ensemble.

Brass Quintet

The Brass Quintet is highly part of the Ceremonial Band, composing of members who play brass instruments.

Jazz Group

The Jazz Group provides great diversity of musical styles based on Australia's jazz culture.

Notable Members

  • David Reynolds
  • George Thomas[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://militaria-sales.com.au/squadron-patch-raaf-central-band-p-4481.html
  2. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/artist/2982403-RAAF-Central-Band?noanv=1
  3. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/artist/4680196-George-Thomas-14
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