WING COMMANDER RICHARD A MURRAY

CLASS OF 1993

Principal Director of Music, Royal Air Force

“I cannot believe it was 1991 when I started Belfast High School, it seems like yesterday! It was a great time, whether I was immersed in the music department, playing sport, completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme or in A Level studies. Clearly music was my driver and I was energised by the fabulous staff in the music department. Across the whole school, there was the highest level of support and commitment given to all and I can safely say that Belfast High School helped me develop the confidence and life skills (and education) that have led to the position I am honoured to hold today.”

From Belfast High School, Richard studied music at the University of Ulster before joining Royal Air Force Music Services as a flautist in November 1997. Prior to his posting as Principal Flautist with the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment at RAF Cranwell in 1999, Richard was awarded the Cassel Silver Medal by The Worshipful Company of Musicians. While at Cranwell, he continued his musical studies, gaining licentiateships in performance and conducting from the London College and Royal Schools of Music, and was awarded a second Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians on completion of the Bandmaster Course in 2006. On promotion to sergeant in 2008 he was assigned to the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Richard received his commission in February 2010 on completion of Initial Officer Training Course No.17 at RAF College Cranwell and was awarded the MacRobert’s Prize.

Serving as a Director of Music to the Band of the RAF Regiment, Band of the RAF College and the Central Band of the RAF, Richard has been integral in delivering musical support to numerous state, national and international events. Highlights include providing musical support to the Diamond and Platinum Jubilees and the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the London Olympics, Basel Tattoo (Switzerland), WW1 Commemorations (India), Classic FM Live, World Wind Band Festival (Lucerne) and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. During many RAF Centenary events in 2018, he led musical support for the Royal Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, a Gala Centenary Concert at Lincoln Cathedral and conducted the Ukrainian Military Massed Bands during Defenders Day celebrations in Kyiv. In 2023, he was honoured to lead the Combined Bands of the RAF in the Coronation Procession for Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

During the pandemic, Richard coordinated RAF Music Services’ support to Op RESCRIPT, was acting Officer Commanding for six months and spent a further seven months with Standing Joint Command, planning and delivering Defence Contribution to Resilience Operations & Military Assistance to Civilian Authorities within the UK. In October 2023, Richard was promoted to Wing Commander and stepped into the role of Principal Director of Music (RAF).