RAF Music Services News

Central Band of the Royal Air Force look to inspire the next generation of musicians

On Saturday 17th March, musicians from the Central Band of the RAF travelled to Chalkhill Primary School to perform as part of the ‘Instrument Discovery Day’ hosted by Brent Music Service.

The aim of the day was to inspire and encourage young children in the local community to play a musical instrument, firstly giving them the opportunity to hear a wide variety of instruments being played, and then having the chance to try it themselves.

 

 

 

There were 3 ensembles of differing musical families performing at the event: a string ensemble provided by Brent Music Service, and a brass quintet and a woodwind quintet from RAF Music Services.  With such a great turnout, the children were split into three smaller groups and throughout the day, rotated round each of the ensembles who were located within different rooms in the school.

Firstly, the children were treated to a short concert performed by the ensembles with a wide variety of music, from classical chamber music, to lively Rumbas, through to well-known film music such as Disney’s ‘The Lion King’.  In addition to hearing the instruments play together as a group during the concert, each one was introduced and demonstrated individually by the musicians; this gave the children a chance to see all the different options available to them, and to hear the capabilities of what each instrument can do.  Following the performance, the children were then invited to try out the instruments for themselves, with guidance and support from the BMS staff and the RAF musicians.

Spoilt for choice with so many instruments provided on the day by Brent Music Service, the children had plenty to try out.  They all carried a sheet around with them, so they could note down their favourite instruments and narrow down their preferred instrument to start learning in the next academic year.

Outreach projects into the local communities are of high priority to the RAF, and more specifically for RAF Music Services.  The combined event bewteen Brent Music Service and RAF Music Services was sponsored by the MCO of RAF Northolt, Sqn Ldr James Tenniswood, and was a very enjoyable day for all involved.  It was extremely rewarding to see so many smiles on all of the children’s faces when they were making their first notes on the musical instruments.

We hope that all the children that attended, left the event uplifted and with the motivation to learn a musical instrument.  RAF Music Services look forward to continuing to work in the local community at similar engagements.

Connect with RAF Music Services