The Indian Air Force band Enthralls Audience at the india Gate

The thirty member Indian Air Force Brass and Jazz Band played live for the general public at India Gate, New Delhi today. The gathered people were treated to the soulful tunes ranging from an overture to ‘Mozart’s Symphony 40’ to ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’, from ‘Havana’ to the sensational ‘Waka Waka’ concluding in ‘Vande Mataram’. Besides the music, that held the audience completely rapt, the Air Warrior Drill Team also performed during the show.

From the earliest times, music has been a soul stirring accompaniment to the men of arms, acting as a catalyst of exciting passion and inspiring them to go forth and conquer. Military bands enliven the spirit, strengthen the mood and help in promoting pride and camaraderie.

The first Air Force Band was raised in the year 1944 at the Royal Air Force Station, Kohat, in North Western Frontier Province. Today there are eight bands in the Indian Air Force. Progressing from the delightful martial music, successive conductors of the bands enhanced the range of its repertoire to include arrangements of symphonies, overtures and concertos as well as other forms of contemporary music including the Indian Classical. These bands have been performing at various ceremonies and official functions.

A member of the worldwide Military Music Society, the Air Force Band has performed in India as well as abroad at Bangkok, Finland, France, Italy, Kaula Lumpur International Tattoo, ILA Berlin Air Show, French National Day Celebration and recently on India’s Independence Day Celebration at Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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