A combined love of music came to a head over the recent St Valentine’s Day weekend at the Birmingham International Tattoo. The largest indoor tattoo in the UK.
Starting in October last year, Air Cadets from across the UK gathered at RAF Halton to work towards creating a continuity drill music display. Under the guidance of the Director of Music, Squadron Leader Andy White MBE RAFAC, the cadets quickly bonded over their enthusiasm for music and a wish to further develop their skills. Due to the hiatus in national-standard music only three cadets had experienced working at this level and so the vast majority of attendees had to learn quickly. Of course, a parade band is more than music and Bandmaster, Warrant Officer James Whicher RAFAC, saw that a routine was designed, developed and committed to memory by every cadet. In that, and other aspects of the camp, the RAFAC staff were augmented by friends from both the Royal Marines Band Service (RMBS) and the Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM). The camp was heavily supported by the RCAM including a visit to watch Changing The Guard at Windsor Castle and working with the RCAM Engagement Team at RAF Halton.
One job that is unique, and critical, to music camps is that of Music Librarian. For these camps, the Librarian was Civilian Instructor Sue Innes who ensured that all the cadets had the correct music packs in the right place at the right time. With almost 60 musicians, playing a range of 15 instruments, performing in several different keys and reading multiple clefs, this is a huge task to deliver.
After the week at RAF Halton, cadets dispersed back around the country and then 58 of them were selected to return for the big one, attending the Birmingham International Tattoo, the UK’s largest indoor tattoo.
In the build-up to the Tattoo the cadets (& staff) only had two more days of rehearsal time, to add to the week in October to bring themselves up to display standard. Now at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks near Grantham. This was achieved by a combination of outdoor drill practice (a bit chilly) and music rehearsal in the (rather warmer) buildings.
By participating in such a camp and achieving the level of capability required, all the musicians qualified for, and were awarded, their Gold Musician badges as having reached the pinnacle of the music progressive training scheme.
The cadets then went on to complete two excellent performances in front of large audiences at the bp Pulse Arena at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham where they helped launch the Air Training Corps’ 85th Anniversary Celebrations alongside over 1,000 other participants including professional musicians from the Royal Air Force and Polish Police.
One of the band’s tuned percussion players was 16 year old Cadet Flight Sergeant Ffion Jones from 1918 (Ruthin) Squadron, part of No 2 Welsh Wing. She said “one of my main highlights from cadets this year has got to be Gold Music. I’ve gained so many things from it, like how to sight read and how to work as part of a team.”
The Director of Music, stated “the cadets have worked extremely hard over a very short rehearsal period to deliver an outstanding performance. The music selection was definitely not easy, and the continuity drill sequence was by far the most extensive of all bands at the Tattoo. Throughout all this everyone remained upbeat and overcame any concerns, very much holding their own against far more experienced bands. Having the Commandant as the Reviewing Officer on the Sunday performance and the chance for him to meet the cadets beforehand was fantastic.”
Ian Collins, Production Director, Birmingham International Tattoo, added “As organisers of the Birmingham International Tattoo, we are always proud to showcase outstanding musical talent, but the RAF Air Cadets Band truly captured the spirit of the event - disciplined, inspiring and a credit to their individual squadrons and their instructors. In their 85th anniversary year, they delivered a performance that honoured their proud heritage while showcasing the exceptional talent shaping their future.
Commandant RAF Air Cadets, Air Commodore Lewis said after the event,
"What a terrific experience it was to see and hear the talented musicians of the RAF Air Cadets National Marching Band light up the Birmingham Tattoo 2026. Their energy, professionalism and sheer musical skill filled the arena; it was an absolute joy to witness.
Before the performance, I had the pleasure of meeting some of our dedicated adult volunteers during their warm‑up session. Their enthusiasm for supporting the cadets, and the cadets’ own excitement for the event, was infectious. I also enjoyed reconnecting with many familiar faces – our young people truly throw themselves into every opportunity.
The band delivered a performance that blended precision marching with dynamic movement and a toe‑tapping musical programme that had the audience joining in from the stands. The capacity crowd loved every moment, with family, friends, and supporters proudly cheering them on.
Standing there as their Commandant, watching the arena respond so warmly, was a genuinely proud moment. Well done to every cadet involved – and my sincere thanks to all our volunteers whose hard work makes opportunities like this possible. Simply brilliant."