UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 02 MAY
The Central Band of the Royal Air Force (RAF), which was established in 1920 and is located at RAF Northolt, came to RBC recently to perform with the RBC Wind Orchestra.
Students and RAF musicians performed a combination of genres, from dance and film scores to pieces written specifically for wind orchestra and orchestral arrangements.
The audience of students and members of the public enjoyed the spectacular performance of ‘Pines of Romes” by the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi.
Partnerships such as these provide opportunities for first and second-year students to experience the Bradshaw Hall stage playing in a different ensemble. The concert was also a valuable recruitment opportunity for the RAF, as students were able to chat about life at RAF Northolt with the musicians.
Prior to the concert, students visited Northolt where they had a full band rehearsal, lunch in the junior ranks mess, followed by an afternoon rehearsal and a marching band demonstration. There was also an opportunity to chat about military music career with RAF personnel.
Performance Department Assistant David Mayne said: “It was a great experience for the students to sit by RAF personnel, travel to Northolt and look at life in military music. The audience and students alike thoroughly enjoyed the concert, and it has created opportunity for further concerts and collaborations.”