Nigel has been commissioned by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and Principal Director of Music, Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs to write a new work to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Nigel’s commission will take the form of a short energetic overture entitled `Their Finest Hour’. The overture’s title is taken from  a speech  given by Winston Churchill on 18 June 1940. Allied pilots known as the `The Few’ numbered 2353 British and 574 from overseas. The battle saw 544 lives lost with a further 791 lost before the end of the war. The battle was fought over Britain between 10th July and 31th October. For more information go to the Battle of Britain History Site.

The premiere of `Their Finest Hour’ will be given by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force under the baton of Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs and will take place on 1st October 2010, RAF Northolt and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 as part of Friday Night Is Music Night tribute concert to `The Few’.