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CHAPTER 25
ROYAL AIR FORCE BANDS
J1880. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
Instructions for Service band engagements and certain other general instructions applicable to bands in all three Services are contained in Instructions for Bands, (Army Code 14170).
SECTION 1 - ESTABLISHED BANDS
1880A. General Instructions. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) Instructions for the administration and employment of RAF established bands are contained in Army Code 14170 Instructions for Bands (1985) at Chapter 1 and paras J.0206, J.0208, J.0209, J.0210, J.0211, J.0212 and J.0217 of the publication and this Chapter. Cases of doubt are to be referred to Headquarters Music Services.
(2) RAF Music Services are under the functional control of HQ PTC (P1 (Cer)(RAF)).
1881. The Principal Director of Music. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
The PDM (RAF), as Head of Branch, is to exercise overall command in accordance with Para 111(9) over officers and airman of RAF Music Services. His responsibilities and duties are to accord with Terms of Reference laid down by HQ PTC.
1882. Organization. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) The established units are as follows:
(a) Headquarters Music Services.
(b) The Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
(c) The Band of the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell.
(d) The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment.
(e) The Salon Orchestra of the Royal Air Force.
(2) Each of the above units is under the immediate command of a Director of Music (DOM).
(3) The Established Bands are to provide music support in accordance with Para 1887, as directed by the PDM(RAF).
(4) HQ Music Services is to provide the training for Trade Group 21 personnel.
1883. Personnel. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) The career management of RAF musicians is vested in the DPM (Grd Trades) (RAF) in consultation with the PDM.
(2) The PDM is to be responsible for advising upon recruiting, postings and the appointment of specialist officers to HQ PTC selection Boards.
(3) All personnel of RAF Music Services are to be employed exclusively on musical duties.
1884. National Anthems. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) All bands are to have current copies of AP 3227 National Anthems, Salutes and Official Marches (1963).
(2) Except as provided for in Para J152 the National Anthem is played either at the beginning or the end of a performance at the discretion of the DOM.
(3) Before playing a foreign national anthem in an abbreviated form, DOMs are to ensure that it is with the approval of the foreign embassy concerned.
1885. Formal Credits. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
Engagements are subject to the regulations contained in Instructions for Bands AC 14170 Chapter 1. In addition, all publicity announcing the attendance of an established band is to state:
"The Band plays by permission of the Air Force Board of the Defence Council".
1886. Applications for Band Support. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) Applications for the services of a UK based established band are to be made, in writing, direct to HQ Music Services at least 6 months in advance.
(2) The MOD RAF Bands Allocations Committee meet monthly to consider applications six months in advance of the requirement (e.g. the January meeting considers July allocations; bids for July should be submitted by 1 Jan).
1887. Duty Nature of all Engagements. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
Service musicians, authorised to take part in all categories of engagements, are on duty throughout the period occupied by both the rehearsals and the performance (including travel time to and from the places of rehearsals and performance).
1888. Categories of Engagements Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) Category I. - All events sponsored by MOD.
(2) Category II. - Service commemorations and bona fide Service charities.
(a) No fees to be charged.
(b) All transport and other expenses are to be charged to the organizers.
(c) VAT at the appropriate rate will be payable by the organizers.
(3) Category III - Unit functions. This category is to be used whenever a band attends unit sports meetings, functions in messes (excluding Officers’ guest nights and dining-in nights, which are Category I) and at other events held for the entertainment of Service personnel and their guests at a unit.
(a) The unit or mess receiving the services of a band, other than a dance band, will pay a contribution to the RAF Music Services Fund at a rate of £3 for each musician up to a maximum of £60 per performance plus VAT.
(b) All transport and other expenses are charged to the organizers. No expense of public funds is permitted.
(c) RAF Dance Bands. To enable units to benefit from the services of a dance band at a rate below fee-paying engagements (see Category 4), Category 3 Extra Duty Pay will be charged.
(4) Category IV - Fee-paying engagement.
(a) Established Bands are permitted to undertake fee paying engagements, subject to the exigencies of the Service.
(b) Fees and all other expenses are to be charged to the organizers.
(c) The attendance of a dance band is a Category IV engagement (other than performances associated with unit functions (see Category 3)).
(d) Fees earned by Category IV engagements are to be apportioned in accordance with Para 1890.
1889. Receipts from Category II, and IV Engagements. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) Receipts from Categories II, and IV engagements are to be paid into MOD Public Accounts.
1890. Dispersion of Funds from Category IV Engagements. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) After all expenses have been met, the net proceeds from Category IV engagements are to be distributed as follows:
(a) 15% to MOD Public Accounts.
(b) (i) 15% to the DOM if he conducts.
(ii) 5% to the DOM if he does not conduct, 10% being allowed to the conductor of the engagement.
(c) 70% between the musicians who rendered efficient Service at the engagement.
1891-1899. (Omitted)
SECTION 2 - VOLUNTARY BANDS
1900. General Organization. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) Voluntary Brass and Pipe Bands (VB) are formed on a geographical basis from clutches of stations in the same area to provide music support in accordance with Para 1887.
(2) VB Policy is the responsibility of HQ PTC P1(Cer)(RAF) who receives advice on policy issues from the RAF Voluntary Band Association (RAFVBA) in respect of Brass and Military Bands and the RAF Pipe Band Association (RAFPBA) in respect of Pipe Bands.
(3) Provision is made in the establishment for civilians to be employed as Voluntary Band Instructors (VBI). P1(Cer)(RAF) is responsible for providing funding advice on VBI establishment matters.
(4) Subject to current regulations, COs of those units parenting VBs are to be the controlling authorities in all matters concerning their bands.
(5) Air or other OCs are to inform HQ PTC and either the RAFVBA or RAFPBA when a VB ceases to function.
1901. Grants from Public Funds. Sponsor: P1 (Cer)(RAF)
(1) An annual allowance will be granted from public funds for the assistance of VBs as a whole. The allowance is to be allocated by HQ PTC (P1 (Cer)(RAF)), after consultation with the RAFVBA and RAFPBA as appropriate.
(2) Application for allocations of proportions of the annual allowance are to be made as follows:
(a) RAFVA and RAFPBA committees are each to forward consolidated bids from their VBs for the next but one financial year to (HQ PTC (P1(Cer)(RAF)) via Cmd HQs not later than 31 January. The following headings are to be used in providing information to illustrate the requirements of each VB:
(i) Station administering the VB.
(ii) Stations represented in the VB clutch.
(iii) Type of band (brass, military or pipe).
(iv) Band strength total.
(v) Number and type of instruments on the Band property book.
(vi) Total of Band liquid assets at last balance.
(b) A separate and detailed note is to be made, giving:
(i) The intended method of expenditure of the grant requested.
(ii) A brief statement of band progress (particularly in relation to achievements of intentions proposed in support of the previous year's bids) showing the sums spent and on what items.
(iii) Planned type of engagements for the forthcoming year.
(c) Grants based on the information supplied under sub-clauses (a) and (b) are to be limited to the amounts which can be applied immediately to the formation and upkeep of VBs. Any sum which cannot be so applied is to be returned to HQ PTC (P1(Cer)(RAF)).
1902. Voluntary Band Accounts. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) Bands are to account for all Service fund monies and property in accordance with extant Service Funds regulations. Additionally, musical instruments and property funded to any extent from public funds are to be held on inventory and for insurance purposes are to be recorded in the band property book.
(2) The procedures set out in Para 1888 apply to VBs, however, in the case of Category I and Category II band engagements the organiser may make a donation to band funds for the maintenance of VB assets. In addition, the percentages stated at Para 1890 clause (1) may be varied by the CO and any balance should be credited to the band fund.
1903. Appearance and Turnout. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
Dress of personnel playing in VBs is to be standardised within each band. Particularly when performing in public, the standard of dress, turnout, deportment and drill by bona fide bandsmen is to be of the normal high standard required of RAF personnel. The policy on the scaling and issue of uniforms for bandsmen is promulgated by HQ PTC P1(Cer)(RAF).
1904. National Anthems. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
(1) All bands are to have current copies of AP 3227 National Anthems, Salutes and Official Marches (1963).
(2) Except as provided for in Para J152 VBs have the discretion to play the National Anthem or the appropriate part of it either at the beginning or the end of a performance.
(3) Before playing any foreign national anthem in any abbreviated form VBs are to ensure that this is with the approval of the foreign embassy concerned.
1905. Registration of Bandsmen. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF
VBs are responsible for the registration of Bandsmen in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 2 Leaflet 1574.
1906. Constitution of VBs. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF
VBs are to have a properly written constitution which conforms with the guidance issued by HQ PTC P1(Cer)(RAF) and advice from the RAFVBA or RAFPBA.
1907. Disposal of Assets. Sponsor: P1(Cer)(RAF)
In the event of a VB ceasing to be functional and its assets being declared surplus, advice on the disposal of assets should be sought from HQ PTC P1(Cer)(RAF) before any action is taken to dispose of assets locally.
1908-1910. (Omitted)
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