Headquarters Music Services

Headquarters Music Services (HQMS) is the entity that oversees all three military bands in the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Central Band with the RAF Salon Orchestra, the Band of the RAF Regiment and the Band of the RAF College. [1][2][3] Acting as the RAF's version of the British Army's Royal Corps of Army Music, it is part of Royal Air Force Music Services, which is the larger organizational body for RAF bands.

The HQMS also provides training courses to all musical personnel and overseers the introduction of new personnel into RAF bands.[4] The HQMS is based out of RAF Northolt in Greater London.[5][6] The Principal Director of Music, currently Wing Commander Piers Morrell, is the officer in charge of RAF Music Services. In May 2023, he directed the fanfare trumpeters of the Royal Air Force at the 2023 Coronation.[7] Wg Cdr Morrell is accompanied by Squadron Leader Richard Murray as Director of Music for HQMS, as well as an exec team of 1 Warrant Officer, 5 Flight Sergeants, 1 Sergeant & 1 Corporal who are all musicians and two civilians.

Since 1951, bronze and silver medals have been awarded to music students by the HQMS.[8]

Sources
  1. "A Career in Military Music - Forces Music | NCBF UK". Ncbf.info. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  2. "RAF Music Services | Royal Air Force". Raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  3. "Links | Royal Air Force Music Services Association". Rafmusa.org. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  4. "HQ Music Services, RAF and WRAF Central Bands, and RAF School of Music, Uxbridge. With... | The National Archives". Discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  5. Smith, Mark Edgley; Yockney, Ruth (1999). Careers in Music - Mark Edgley Smith, Ruth Yockney - Google Books. ISBN 9780749429577. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  6. Woodworth, Rosemary (2010-05-29). "Rhinegold Guide to Music Education - Rosemary Woodworth - Google Books". Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  7. "Coronation order of service in full". BBC News. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  8. "Cassel - RAF Music Services". The Musicians Company Archive. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
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