The Royal Air Force Music Services Annual Soloist Competition and Awards 2026 took place at Regent Hall on Friday the 23rd of October. The event was the culmination of months of preparation and hard work from the competing soloists and the prizewinning students on the Music Direction courses.
The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, under the direction of Wing Commander Murray, Principal Director of Music (RAF), opened proceedings with Mark Watters energetic composition, Forged in Fire.
The first soloist to take the stage was Air Specialist Class 1 (AS1) Lightwing from the Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, who gave a classy performance of the Gershwin classic ‘Our Love Is Here to Stay’ on tenor saxophone.
Next up was AS1 Marrs on clarinet, who delivered a captivating performance of Sholem-Alekham, Rov Friedman! by Béla Kovács, showcasing his technical mastery and impressive musicianship.
Corporal (Cpl) Knapp was up next to give a stylish rendition of the big band classic ‘Secret Love’ on trumpet. The soloist impressed with a powerful lead trumpet sound alongside skilful sections of improvisation.
Last, but by no means least, flautist AS1 Houston stepped up to give his bid for the title, giving a fine performance of Airborne by Gary Schocker, making light of the substantial technical challenges presented by the music.
At this point, the adjudicators departed to undertake the unenviable task of selecting a winner, while the audience's attention turned to the presentation of awards for students completing the Music Direction modules.
The winner of the RAF Music Charitable Trust Fanfare Award was AS1 Pearce whose composition Rejoice! cleverly weaves several Christmas themes together in a stirring and festive work.
Cpl Jones was the well deserved winner of the Studio Music March Competition Award for the march Augsburg. Inspired by the Augsburg Raid of 17 April 1942, the composition captures the emotions of the pilots flying at low level to evade enemy defences and a moment of reflection for those who lost their lives.
The Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Musician of the Year Award was presented to the musician who has displayed a distinguished attitude, supported colleagues or made an outstanding contribution to the organisation. This year’s recipient was Cpl Maddison from the Band of the Royal Air Force College, for enhancing audience engagement through innovative musical arrangements, delivering memorable performances nationwide.
The Dawkes Music Composition Award was awarded to Sgt Whelan for his composition Forward from Experience. Inspired by the first operational deployment of the RAF's HC2 Jupiter rotary aircraft, the work honours the proud heritage of rotary aviation within the RAF while looking ahead to the capabilities of the future. Structured in two distinct parts, the piece combines a reflective homage to rotary aircraft of the past with an energetic portrayal of the Jupiter's lightness and agility.
This year also saw the introduction of the new Rath Trombones Soloist award, for best performance as chosen by the audience with AS1 Marrs crowned the inaugural winner.
After careful deliberation, the adjudicators returned to announce this year’s winner. The announcement was made by Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and the Proms, who declared AS1 Marrs of the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment the winner of the 2026 RAF Music Services Soloist Competition.
To conclude the event, the Band took centre stage once more with a performance of Thomas Doss' Out of Space, recognising the recently launched UK Space Command and bringing an excellent day of music-making to a fitting close.
