Joint band performance by IAF, RAF mesmerises audiences at India Gate

The joint musical concert started with sun set in the evening till the all lit up India Gate, saw a soulful rendition of final pieces of music put together by the two bands.

Air Marshal HB Rajaram, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration at Air Headquarters was the chief guest on the occasion.

RAF Regiment band is regarded to be one of the leading UK military bands which performed with the strength of 27 musicians on Saturday and has earned a worldwide reputation for its outstanding performance.

Originally formed from the Royal Air Force Coastal Command band in 1942 it has travelled extensively including tours of Europe, Canada, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Belize, Hong Kong, Iraq and South Korea.

It is a regular performer at Edinburg Tattoo and as a part of Royal Air Force Massed Bands giving musical support to the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force Regiment.

While the origin of the IAF’s Air Warriors Symphony Orchestra (AWSO) dates back to June 2002.

It has 35 performing musicians who play brass, woodwind, reed, string, electronic and percussion instruments.

The band has performed at Bangkok, Berlin, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and has participated in International Music Festivals in Finland, France, Italy and Malaysia.

The AWSO is the only military orchestra in the country, which has empanelled with Indian Council of Cultural Relation (ICCR). In 2005 the IAF Band became the first Asian Member of the International Military Music Society with its HQ at Norway.

The two bands were be conducted by Squadron Leader G Jayachandran and Flight Lieutenant Richard A Murray.