Artists in the spotlight…….
Wing Commander Stuart L Stirling
PhD MA RAF
Principal Director of Music,
Royal Air Force
Wing Commander Stuart Stirling was commissioned in 1985, and appointed Director of Music to the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment at Catterick in North Yorkshire. In 1989, he was appointed as the Director of Music of the Royal Air Force School of Music and, upon its closure, assumed the post of Director of Music Headquarters Music Services. In 1977, he was appointed Director of Music to the Band of the Royal Air Force College and subsequently, as Director of Music to the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment. In April 2003, he was appointer Principal Director of Music for the Royal Air Force. He began training at the Trinity College of Music as a pianist, he continued his studies at the University of London, gaining a Bachelor of Music degree with Honours. On completion of his studies in London he pursed a Master of Arts degree in American Music at Keele University. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Leeds through research into original composition. As a concert pianist he has recorded Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Richard Adinsell’s Warshaw Concerto with the BBC Concert Orchestra and has recently recorded Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Wind with the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Wing Commander Stuart L Stirling is a member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, a member of the Performing Rights Society, and is also a keen Rotarian.
The Royal Air Force Squadronaires
The origins of the Royal Air Force Squadronaires can be traced back to 1939, when a plan was put forward to recruit experienced civilian musicians into the Royal Air Force, where they would form ‘moral maintaining’ dance bands to tour RAF stations and provide entertainment for the troops during wartime. In 1985 plans were made to form a new ‘big band’ within the RAF Music Service and so ‘The Royal Air Force Squadronaires’ were reborn. The official inauguration of the bank took place at RAF Uxbridge on 8 January 1987 and was attended by many of the original wartime Squadronaires members. Poignantly, ‘Sergeant’ Jimmy Miller conducted and sang also the band’s celebrated theme tune There’s Something in the Air. Under its present Musical Director, Squadron Leader Duncan Stubbs, and the band’s Leader Sergeant Jamie Deighton, the band has assembled a repertoire that reflects its style and versatility, ranging from original dance band classics to the latest big band sounds. Performances in recent years have included several appearances at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. The Squadronaires have also performed for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Highgrove House. To maintain the heritage and connection with their illustrious past, the current ‘Royal Air Force Squadronaires’ can perform in both 1940s Royal Air Force battle dress and the up-to-date concert dress worn by all members of Royal Air Force Music Services. ‘The Royal Air Force Squadronaires’ are not just a thing of the past, but are alive and well and living at RAF Uxbridge
