Commemorating Victory in Europe 80 with Music – raf.mod.uk

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08 May 2025
08 May 2025

To mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, the Central Band of The Royal Air Force have joined forces with the BBC Concert Orchestra for a very special Friday Night is Music Night extravaganza.

In 1945 as silence fell across Europe, hundreds of thousands took to the streets to dance and celebrate the lifting of the dark clouds of war. Eighty years on, the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Central Band of The Royal Air Force commemorate that moment in history with music to raise the spirits from the iconic ‘Ally Pally’ in London.  
“The programme has been based around the euphoric celebrations across the United Kingdom that happened at the end of World War Two and are energetic songs of the era. There also a few moments of reflection on the huge sacrifice across Europe.”
Wing Commander Richard Murray
Principal Director of Music for the RAF
I’ll Be Seeing You, Hang Out Your Washing, Run Rabbit Run and Somewhere Over The Rainbow, sung by Judy Garland, are just some of the songs listeners will be treated to during the evening.
“It’s also great to rekindle the relationship we’ve had for many years with the concert orchestra, especially on such an historic occasion here at Alexandra Palace; a venue steeped in musical history.” 
Wing Commander Richard Murray
Sharing the presenting duties with veteran broadcaster Petroc Trelawny was Squadron Leader Casey, who like Petroc was previously a broadcaster with the British Forces Broadcasting Service, said: “When you think about the history of Alexandra Palace and everything that has happened here it is a real honour to come and co-present with somebody like Petroc."
“It is so important that we stop and remember what the men and women of the Amed Forces went through eighty years ago and all of those contributions that they made.”
Squadron Leader Casey, reflecting on the poignancy of the occasion
To listen to this stirring, swinging salute to arguably our greatest generation, tune in to BBC Radio 3 on Friday 9th May at 7:30PM, or, catch up at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001xmxc/episodes/guide
© 2025 Royal Air Force. UK Crown Copyright

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