One of the UK's newly formed professional British Army brass bands will be performing in Dudley Town Hall tonight — and featuring a former Central Band of the RAF star player in their ranks.

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The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals will be linking up with guest soloist Jonathan Pippen for the event — one which due to the new, inclusive approach to playing personnel, sees the Army welcome non-military personnel into their ranks — even ones who used to play with the rival services!

Great decision

Jonathan told 4BR: "It's a great decision that has been made — and one that enables players such as myself to team up with some brilliant professional musicians once again — even if the uniforms they wear are a different colour!

The banding set-up in the British Army is superb — and I wish I was a few years younger now. What a life — playing in a brass band all day and getting paid for it."

The banding set-up in the British Army is superb — and I wish I was a few years younger now. What a life — playing in a brass band all day and getting paid for itJonathan Pippen

Hectic weekend

The band, led by Director of Music Captain Shane O'Neill will feature other soloists along with Jonathan, including Matthew Taylor, who played with Fairey and former British Open 'Best Soprano' award winner, Richard Evans, from the King's Division Band.

Jonathan added: "It's going to be a great, but pretty hectic weekend of music making for me as the following day I'm leading Staines at the London Areas in Stevenage.