Three pupils from TIFS, Arthur W, Alice J and Laurence M, had the amazing opportunity to perform in the Birmingham International Tattoo 2026, held at the Birmingham BP Pulse Arena over 2 performances in front of an audience of 10,000. The National Band of the RAF Air Cadets, comprising of 58 of the most talented young musicians aged 14-19 drawn from across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, were invited to perform as part of the 85th Anniversary celebrations of The Air Training Corps. Playing alongside the Band of the Royal Air Force College and the Band of the Polish Police Force, they were members of a cast of around 1,500 performers in the largest indoor military tattoo in the UK.
As RAF Air Cadets, Arthur W, Alice J and Laurence M along with 6 other pupils from TIFS, partake in flying training, military skills, leadership, sport and first aid, alongside cyber, space and aviation based studies. Many such subjects, including music are part of a syllabus which can lead to the award of BTEC qualifications.
In preparation for the performance the cadets attended an intensive week long training camp at RAF Halton receiving music tuition and refining their skills with the support of musicians from The Royal Corps of Army Music and HM Royal Marines Band Service in a professional environment getting a taste for life as a Military Musician.
Arthur W was first selected for the National Band in 2023 and since then has worked his way up the ranks to Flight Sergeant, playing an important leadership role as an experienced band member acting as a sectional lead for Brass in charge of and mentoring 24 musicians whilst assisting staff in instruction and organisation, using his acquired skills and instructor qualification gained through his twice weekly work on squadron within his group on the Island.
Alice J and Laurence M have both been attending Air Cadets on the island for over a year and through their passion and musical capabilities were also successful in being awarded a place on the prestigious National Bands training camps working towards the performance. These development camps are intensive and challenge cadets musicianship, self-confidence and self-reliance.
After performing in the Tattoo and spending time in the band all 3 pupils have gained new skills and created new friendships with like-minded people from across the UK as they strive to make the most out of their time in the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. All have consequently qualified and been awarded the Gold Musician badge which is the highest standard for music studies within the RAFAC Progressive Training Syllabus.
By Arthur W
