Indian, UK Air Force bands perform jointly to commemorate World War I soldiers

The Royal Air Force Band of England and Indian Air Force on Saturday jointly performed Air Warrior Orchestra Symphony (AWSO), organized at the war memorial India Gate in New Delhi, to commemorate soldiers who fought World War-I.

The joint musical concert started with sunset in the evening till the India Gate was all lit up with 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 guest of honour for the occasion.

RAF Regiment band is regarded to be one of the leading UK military bands which performed with the strength of 27 musicians 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 symphony composers for the two bands were Squadron Leader G Jayachandran and Flight Lieutenant Richard A Murray.