Our Story
The Veterans Big Band was formed in 2022 and is made up of talented musicians from the Royal Marines Band Service, various Army bands and the Royal Air Force Music Service. Our mission is to honour the Big Band era while showcasing the musical skills of those who have served in the UK Armed Forces. We believe our performances not only entertain, but also make a meaningful impact on veterans and the wider Armed Forces community.
We are based in Lincolnshire, a county with one of the highest numbers of veterans in the United Kingdom, and we are proud to contribute to its rich military heritage.
Through our music, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation of the remarkable talents and invaluable contributions of our veterans. Our concerts also support organisations connected to the Armed Forces. In the past, we have raised funds for the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, as well as performing at Armed Forces Day events and RAF Association concerts — reflecting our ongoing commitment to the well‑being and recognition of our servicemen and women.
" The Veterans Big Band Concert was the ninth concert organised by the RAF Association and with the help from the other veteran associations, will undoubtedly go down as the most successful so far. The money raised will be distributed between our four local veterans’ charities these being the RAFA Wings Appeal, the RBL Poppy Appeal, The Royal Naval Charity; and SSAFA. I am convinced that the large amount of money we raised was purely down to the excellence of your band. Many thanks for the concert last Sunday, we loved it! " (Bernard Lines, Royal Air Forces Association Rushden & District Branch, June 2024)
Meet the Band Leader
The Veterans Big Band is led by Ron Moonesinghe, who lives in Sleaford. Ron has been playing since the age of eight and served in the British Army as a military musician on both trombone and cello. After two years of training at Woolwich and a final year at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, he joined the Royal Artillery Band in 1975. He then served a further four years with the main Artillery Band in London.
Ron is also a member of the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee (VAPC), a national network that supports veterans, the Armed Forces community and their families in accessing vital welfare support. He serves on the East Midlands committee of the VAPC.
In 2023, the Veterans Big Band was honoured to receive the Bronze Award of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising the band’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.