The Band
RAF St Athan Voluntary Band is in many ways unique in the RAF Voluntary Band World - we are one of the few to be based entirely around one station, not an "Area" Band, we are solely brass - adopting the standard Brass Band configuration and as such are a competing band. The Band rehearses twice weekly - Monday and Thursday evening and undertakes in excess of eighty engagements per annum.
A Brief History
RAF St Athan Voluntary Band was formed during 1938 and despite short break during the Second World War has been in active in and around the Vale of Glamorgan and South Wales ever since.
Band on Tour
As well as performing almost everywhere in the UK, RAF St Athan Voluntary Band have completed a number of successfully tours abroad. From Gibraltar, Germany, France, Austria and the United States of America.
RAF St Athan Corps of Drums
Accompanying the RAF St Athan Voluntary Band at many of these engagements is the very professional RAF St Athan Corps of Drums. Formed in 1988 by Alan Bourne and under the guidance of Derrick White, the Corps of Drums co-ordinates the role of parade Side Drummer. The Corps of Drums meet every Tuesday evening to learn more and rehearse the marches and ceremonial repertoire used by the Band at engagements. The Corps of Drums have also devised a Drum display which they perform between marches at concerts and many outside venues throughout the year.RAF St Athan Training Band
To compliment the very high level standard of RAF St Athan Voluntary Band we have RAF St Athan Training Band which affords those musicians experience in ensemble playing, group tuition, music theory - all in the hope that they will progress into the Voluntary Band. At present this group meets on Tuesday nights and has in its own right attended a number of very successful engagements. The Training Band also provides valuable teaching and conducting experience to those musicians who wish to develop their skills further.
Band Support
RAF St Athan Voluntary Band compromises of a mix of service personnel and their families, MOD Civilians, retired Service/Civilians, local civilians and school children. We are very grateful for financial assistance from Support Command, the Nuffield Trust and SIF all of whom enable the band to maintain the quality of their instruments - an essential factor in the development of this very successful musical establishment.
Alan R Bourne BMus (Wales) ARCM
Alan accepted the post of Director of Music in December 1986. Prior to his appointment, Alan spent 4 years studying Trumpet at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, 3 years gaining a Bachelor of Music Honours degree from the University of Aberystwyth and time spent as a post-graduate student at Goldsmiths's College, University London. A former member of both the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and National Youth Brass Band of Wales. Alan is a Fellow of the London College of Music, an Associate of the Royal College of Music and holds an Advanced Diploma in conducting from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.RAF St Athan Voluntary Band appears by kind permission of RAF Air Officer Wales and Station Commander at RAF St Athan.
