Indian Air Force Band
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=No. 1 Air Force Band
|image=File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind with the Indian Air Force Band Contingents (participants of the Beating Retreat Ceremony) and Provost Outrides, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on January 30, 2018.jpg
|caption=President Ram Nath Kovind with members of the band following the Republic Day Beating Retreat, 30 January 2018.
|country={{flag|India}}
|branch={{Air force|India}}
|dates={{Start date and years ago|df=yes|1944}}
|command_structure=Directorate of Organisation
|size=35
|garrison=Jalahalli
|nickname=
|march=
|current_commander=
|notable_commanders=
}}
The Indian Air Force Band, known officially as No. 1 Air Force Band is a full-time military band of the Indian Air Force. It is considered to be the primary musical unit of the IAF, currently stationed in Jalahalli. Outside the symphony orchestra, other military ensembles have included the following: parade band, jazz ensemble, and vocalist group. It falls under the command of the Directorate of Organisation of the IAF.{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/a-strong-foundation/694201/|title = A strong foundation|date = 8 October 2010}}
History
It was the first Indian air force band to be formed, being established on 10 June 1944 under the name of the RIAF Central Band.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0bJIAAAAYAAJ&q=Warriors|title = Business India|year = 2004}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PqDfAAAAMAAJ&q=Indian+Air+Force+Band+Jalahalli|title = Ceremonial Glimpses of the Indian Air Force|isbn = 9788185250304|last1 = Mandal|first1 = Ranjit K.|year = 2002}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/pti-feed/story/iaf-band-to-enthrall-coimbatoreans-on-august-14-682283-2016-08-10|title = IAF Band to enthrall Coimbatoreans on August 14}} It was based in Kohat and consisted of one officer accompanied by 47 airmen. Its composition was order by Wing Commander G.R. Bowler, the then Under Secretary at the War Department of British India.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chindits.org/2017/08/independence-day-band-concert-in.html?m=1|title = Independence Day Band Concert in Hyderabad}} It gave its first performance at a military parade in Ambala on 13 February 1946.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Indian-Air-Force-band-to-conduct-concert-in-Coimbatore/articleshow/53637050.cms|title=Indian Air Force band to conduct concert in Coimbatore | Coimbatore News - Times of India}} After the Independence of India occurred, it came to Jalahalli in Bangalore in 1947.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/IAF-band-to-perform-in-Coimbatore/article14563880.ece/amp/|title = IAF band to perform in Coimbatore|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 11 August 2016}} In 2005, the band became the first Asian member of the International Military Music Society based in Norway.
Air Warriors Symphony Orchestra
File:Pratibha Devisingh Patil presented mementos to the conductor of the coir, after witnessing a spectacular performance by the Air Warriors Symphony Orchestra, at the auditorium in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.jpg presenting a memento to the conductor of the AWSO in the auditorium of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.]]
The Air Warrior Symphony Orchestra (AWSO) is the concert band unit of the IAF Band. Formed in June 2002, the AWSO consists of hand-picked musicians from the seven IAF Bands across the country.{{Cite web|url=https://mycitybeats.wordpress.com/2015/08/12/orion-mall-resonates-with-the-patriotic-sounds-of-the-air-warrior-symphony-orchestra-of-the-iaf/amp/|title = Orion Mall Resonates with the Patriotic Sounds of the Air Warrior Symphony Orchestra of the IAF|date = 12 August 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/160722/iaf-band-perform-cubbon-park.html|title=IAF Band to perform at Cubbon Park|date=12 May 2011}} The AWSO has performed at many concerts across the world in countries like France, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh as well as at venues such as India Gate and Vijay Chowk.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories3409_IAF_Symphony_Orchestra_Drill_Team_Enthral_Public.htm|title = ..:: India Strategic ::. IAF: Indian Air Force Symphony Orchestra and Drill Team Enthral Public at 'India Gate'}} It also has taken part in domestic events such as the IAF Platinum Jubilee Tattoo in March 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/200618/iaf-symphony-orchestra-saturday.html|title=IAF Symphony Orchestra on Saturday|date=27 October 2011}} In 2014, the AWSO, under the direction of Squadron Leader Gopalakrishnan Jayachandran, engaged in a joint performance with the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/photoright.aspx?phid=58433|title = Untitled Page}} 5 years later in 2019, the band performed for the first time with the visiting United States Air Force Band of the Pacific.{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/us-and-india-air-force-bands-play-together/amp_articleshow/68102783.cms|title = Aero india 2019: US and India Air Force bands play together}} In 2007, the ASWO taught Hindu compositions to musicians from the Afghan National Army, during which training was provided to 10 soldiers for six months in Bangalore.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-iaf-band-to-train-afghan-military-1085633|title = IAF band to train Afghan military|date = 18 March 2007}}
The title of "Air Warrior" is also reserved for the Air Warrior Drill Team.
Structured events
The band performs at Presentation of Colours as well as the annual Delhi Republic Day parade on the Rajpath. In the latter parade, the band has come in a 75-member contingent and has been led by Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar for the last 12 years.{{Cite web|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-musician-to-play-in-career-s-25th-parade/story-nHDSCr2wWqfoYYiYyZA5nO_amp.html|title = IAF musician to play in career's 25th parade|date = 14 January 2020}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/25th-republic-day-parade-for-iaf-bandmaster/article30560682.ece|title=25th Republic Day parade for IAF bandmaster|newspaper=The Hindu|date=13 January 2020|last1=Peri|first1=Dinakar}} It also performs at the Beating Retreat on Vijay Chowk, performing marches such as the Air Force Colour, Inspirato, and Subroto.{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/patriotic-fervour-sweeps-vijay-chowk-at-beating-the-retreat/1721043|title = Patriotic fervour sweeps Vijay Chowk at Beating the Retreat}} It frequently performs at during State visits to New Delhi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, hosted by the President of India. It has been present at prestigious international events in Germany, Finland, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.