Royal Australian Air Force Band

The Royal Australian Air Force Band (Air Force 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 is Flight Lieutenant Daniel Phillips.

History
On 16 March 1916, Number One Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) sailed from Port Melbourne onboard the Liner Orsova, arriving in Egypt in April of that year. The contingent included musically talented airmen who went to war with their instruments. In the Egyptian desert, a concert party and camp orchestra were formed for the Squadron’s entertainment.

Similar entertainment troupes were formed at various AFC bases during the war. Particularly famous in England during 1918 and 1919 were The Flying Kangaroos and The Gee Whizzers from the AFC training bases at Leighterton and Minchinhampton.

Soon after the creation of an independent Royal Australian Air Force, a part-time RAAF Band was formed by volunteer airmen in January 1923 at the Air Force’s birth place, Point Cook. On 20 August of that year Hugh Niven was appointed the first Band Master, and this date is recognised as the beginning of music services in the Air Force.

Significant amongst its early activities was its role as official band for all ceremonies and grand public military review for the opening of Parliament House in Canberra in 1927. The band moved to Laverton during World War Two.

In 1932, a part-time brass band was established at RAAF Base Richmond. It was appropriately known as the RAAF Richmond Band.

The two RAAF Bases, Laverton and Richmond, continued to be home to part-time brass bands until full-time military bands, including woodwind instruments, were formed in the two locations. The RAAF Central Band was formed in 1952 at Laverton and the Air Command Band (originally known as the RAAF Number One Regional Band) was formed at Richmond in 1969, both bands enjoying reputations for musical excellence. The two bands were amalgamated into one band in 2008, bringing together their traditions to provide a strong foundation for today’s Air Force Band.

Air Force Band highlights include ceremonial support for the presentation of the original Queen’s Colour for the RAAF in 1952; support for much of the 1954 Royal Tour; duty as the official band for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne; ceremonial support and morale boosting concerts in 1969 for Australian troops deployed to Vietnam and Malaysia; award of a Gold Record in 1975 for Thirty Smash Hits of the War Years; concerts in support of the 2000 Sydney Olympics; numerous international tattoos and tournaments, ANZAC Day commemorations around Australia, in Europe and on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey; and the 100th anniversary of the Armistice commemorations at the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Air Force Band musicians have regularly deployed to ADF areas of operations in support of Australian troops, including several tours of highly successful morale-boosting concerts for Australian Defence Force personnel and multi-national forces deployed in areas of operation, including East Timor, The Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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.

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