RAF Music Services

The musicians of the Royal Air Force Music Services were centre stage throughout the Coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Consort.

The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force (team of seven musicians), conducted by Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) Piers Morrell OBE MVO

Principal Director of Music (RAF), performed throughout the Coronation Service in Westminster Abbey. Composer of the fanfares, Dr. Christopher Robinson, who visited RAF Northolt to hear the Fanfare Team record the pieces for royal review, commented: “Wow! What a team… You are lucky to have such good people to work with!” A studio recording of Make a Joyful Noise, A Coronation Anthem was also recorded before the Coronation and is available from DECCA Classics, as is the full recording of the Service in support of AgeUK and the Royal British Legion.

Sergeant Jonty Hill, RAF Trombonist and Fanfare Team Leader, said:

“Being in Westminster Abbey to witness HM The King vow to serve the country in front of the nation and, indeed, the whole world is something that I cannot properly put into words. One highlight was that, after we had finished heralding HM The King with the fanfare to the National Anthem, we had an uninterrupted view of him processing through the Sanctuary into the Nave in full regalia, including with the crown, orb and sceptre. There were tears in this profound and once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

The Fanfare Trumpeters of the RAF appeared again at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in front of a live audience of 20,000 and a TV audience of 12.3 million people. This time with an additional seven players, the team performed with legendary dance music DJ Pete Tong and played alongside pop royalty, Take That.

Summing up the feeling amongst the RAF musicians, Air Specialist (Class 1) Alan Thomas, one of the fanfare trumpeters, said: “It was stuff of dreams rubbing shoulders with superstars such as Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and opening the final number of Take That’s finale in front of a live audience of 20,000. The atmosphere was electric and such an amazing view looking out from the stage. A truly memorable weekend performing in two completely contrasting musical settings. Memories that I will never forget and opportunities that never would have occurred, had I not been a member of RAF Music Services.”

There was very little rest after the Coronation, as the RAF Squadronaires, the Band of the RAF Regiment and the Central Band of the RAF all performed for garden parties at Buckingham Palace. Two of the parties were for specific events, the first was in support of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, the second, attended by several celebrities, was for the charity ‘Not Forgotten’, a charity that has been supporting veterans since 1920.

The Central Band of the RAF travelled to Chichester to perform a concert in recognition of the 80th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid. The sell-out concert featured clarinettist Cpl Ryan Penman and vocalists AS1 Poppy Ewence and Sgt Matt Walker.

A highlight of the RAF Music calendar is the Annual Soloist Competition. Held every year in May, the Soloist Competition showcases the high calibre of musicians in RAF Music Services. This was the first year the event was open to the public. RAF Music welcomed an enthusiastic audience to Regent Hall, Central London, where Wg Cdr Piers Morrell conducted the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The audience was treated to four stunning and varied performances. The adjudicators, Marie Lloyd, Jenni Phillips and Melanie Henry, representing the top UK Music Colleges, had a difficult task, and were unable to decide between the two best performances. After much deliberation, AS1s Lucinda Rimmer and Jonathan Griffiths were announced as joint winners.

Speaking for all the adjudicators, Marie Lloyd said:

"Jonathan gave a stylish and engaging performance...with real communication and enjoyment with the audience from the outset...a real stage presence that drew us in".

Of Lucinda’s playing she said: "Your whole performance exuded enjoyment and your connection with the audience was plain to see...the whole concerto was performed with aplomb and flamboyance...Congratulations!"

We are hugely proud of our musicians who performed with such professionalism and flair during The Coronation when the eyes of the world were on them. They continue to shine as they represent the RAF in events around the UK.

To find out where RAF Music will be performing for the public, visit the live dates page on our website: https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/rafmusic-services/live-dates