Ray Kilcoyne

I began my musical journey at the age of 14, joining Elmfield House and later Haydn Griffiths' Brass Band as a drummer, at a time when percussion was still a relatively new addition to brass bands. In 1972, I joined the Royal Air Force as a trainee percussionist at RAF Uxbridge, beginning a 23-year career that took me around the world. During my RAF service, I performed in a wide variety of ensembles, from concert and marching bands to swing, pop and rock groups. I was fortunate to perform at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall and Festival Hall, take part in Royal events such as Princess Anne's wedding, and travel extensively to countries including South Africa, Belize, Sweden and Finland, as well as the Falkland Islands. I also served in Bahrain during the First Gulf War as a medic and stretcher bearer. After retiring from the RAF in 1995 as a senior percussionist, I remained closely involved with brass banding. In 2018, I became conductor of Armthorpe Elmfield Band, helping to guide the organisation through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the loss of its band room, ultimately securing a new home at the Armthorpe Scout Hut.