Meet the Performers
The Royal Air Force is rightly proud of its tradition of musical excellence that has been developed since the formation of the Service in 1918. As well as providing musical accompaniment at formal ceremonial functions and dinner nights, Royal Air Force musicians have established a world wide reputation for performing a wide variety of music. From classical repertoire, swing, jazz right through to more contemporary and popular tunes. The Royal Air Force Bands deliver performances that are acclaimed for their distinctive style and wit.
From within these three established bands the Royal Air Force therefore is able to provide a wide variety of musical ensembles ranging from the entire Massed Bands of the RAF for major state and public ceremonial events, a full military band for a traditional concert or a small ensemble to support a special occasions.
Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs
B Mus FRCM LGSM ARCM RAF
Duncan Stubbs developed his love of music at an early age when, as a teenager, he organised concerts and arranged music for his friends in his home town of Stoke on Trent.
Having graduated from York University with a BA(Hons) he specialised in Music Education and Performance at Birmingham. Most recently he has completed a Master of Music Degree and has been awarded both the Wiliam Primrose and Albert Thomas Howard Composition prizes for composition.
His career with the Royal Air Force began in 1983 when he joined the Central Band of the Royal Air Force as a bassoon player. Commissioned as a Director of Music in 1990, he was one of the youngest ever Directors of Music in all 3 Services. He has served with all the Royal Air Force Established Bands, completed an operational tour during the first Gulf War and is coming to the end of his second tour in Headquarters Music Services where he has responsibility for all aspects of training, policy and manpower management.
When not performing music or being a doting father he can often be found giving his 'ears a rest' on top of a mountain in the Lake District.
Flight Lieutenant Matthew Little GTCL(Hons) LRSM DipTCL RAF - Soloist
Flight Lieutenant Matthew Little was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and began his musical career at an early age as a Trombonist with Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra before studying at Trinity College of Music, London. He graduated in 1992 and joined Royal Air Force Music Services as a Bass Trombonist and Vocalist with the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
During the past 15 years he has appeared as a vocal soloist at all their major concerts. Some of these memorable engagements include the Royal Tournament at Earls Court, the Festival of Remembrance, Edinburgh Tattoo, Songs of Praise (BBC), The Royal Military Tattoo 2000 and Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London with the RAF Squadronaires. Flight Lieutenant Little has been the featured vocalist on nearly all the RAF Charitable Massed Bands Tours since he joined the RAF.
Away from the RAF, Matthew has performed as a session singer for the last 16 years. Television appearances include The Royal Variety Performance, X Factor and the National Lottery with Capitol Voices. For radio he has worked with the Stephen Hill Singers on Friday Night is Music Night and a large number of Radio 2 Musicals. Matthew has toured with West End International featuring in Jesus Christ Superstar and Fame and provided vocals for Film Soundtracks. Notably, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Around the World in Eighty Days and Troy. He has provided vocals on many recordings, most recently the latest Michael Ball album. Matthew is also being featured as the lead male vocalist on many Raymond Gubbay events, A WWII Swing Band Tribute back in September and on the 2009 Christmas Tour around the leading concerts venues in the country.
Flight Lieutenant Little gained his Commission in July 2008 winning the MacRobert Prize and became Director of Music for the Band of the RAF Regiment.
The Salon Orchestra of the Central Band of the RAF
The Salon Orchestra of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force can trace its origins back to 1937 and the formation of the RAF Symphony Orchestra, which contained many of the finest musicians from the London Orchestras, and was considered to be one of the great orchestras of that time. Today, with numbers seriously reduced, the Orchestra consists of just six musicians. This high profile and versatile ensemble now has a very different role providing musical support for Royal, State and military engagements. It is the ideal group to set the perfect atmosphere at receptions, luncheons and dinners. In recent years the Orchestra has been featured frequently on Concert tour and various recordings with the Central Band. In their primary role, they travel all over the UK and abroad providing music support, and have recently just returned from an annual visit to Cyprus for the commemoration of the Battle of Britain.
