The Royal Air Force was formed in 1918 from the Royal Flying Corps which flew and developed the new-fangled "flying machines" throughout the First World War. The Royal Flying Corps had a number of bands and orchestras, and a number of the musicians who played in these transferred to the new service to be absorbed into the new
RAF Central Band and RAF College Band. Throughout the 1920s and '30s, the Central Band in particular built up a fine reputation for its concerts, broadcasts, recordings and appearances in major parades and national events.
In 1940, the RAF Music Services expanded to over 1000 musicians, including a number who were, or would become, household names. The wartime RAF Symphony Orchestra included the cream of London's orchestral world, and the Squadronaires dance band was regularly voted Britain's best band. The RAF musicians helped to maintain national morale, both of the civilians at home and of military personnel in combat zones around the world.
After the war ended, the Music Services reduced to a peacetime establishment, and in the years since has been further reduced in size as part of the general reduction in the size of Britain's Armed Forces. However, as numbers have gone down, musical standards have risen, and by adapting new operational procedures and using modern methods of communicating, the smaller number of current bands have actually increased their effectiveness in comparison with the old style of bands. In addition, all RAF musicians take their turns serving in combat zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan supporting operations in non-musical duties.
More Music In The Air details the story from Royal Flying Corps days until the present time, and includes quotations from serving musicians from every period of this history. The book is an official publication by the Ministry of Defence and is not currently available in the shops. Anybody who wants one of these book should contact the following for details:
book@MusicInTheAir.org.uk
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