On Wednesday December 23rd, on the grounds of Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, and under the ‘cool’ of an overcast sky, the newly formed Anguilla Cadet Corps Marching Band exhibited its skills in playing several ceremonial pieces for the closing ceremony, after an intense two- week Marching Band Workshop.
Under the capable tutorage of the Corps First Class Drum Major, Alfred Douglas, some 43 young participants, including a few members of the Pathfinders Band and Boys Brigade, were trained over the period December 14th to 22nd. At the end, the impressive outcome paid off – after all the regimented, grueling, work involving the rudimentary lessons of military-like marching band performance.
The two-week workshop was the idea of the Corps Captain and Commander, Mr. Neville Hamilton. He had been inspired to establish the marching band upon visiting the recently deceased founder of the Cadet Corps, Captain George Vernon Fleming, during his protracted illness. “Mr. Fleming expressed his desire that the Drum Corps be established with the purpose of performing for national ceremonial events,” Mr. Hamilton remarked.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the newly founded band proficiently played the National Anthem and the National Song, after which Mr. Hamilton made a salient point during a reflective address: “I invite the audience to give an unusual round of applause for the playing of the National Anthem and National Song,” he said, “because just two weeks ago these youngsters could not have made one note towards any of the pieces they play here today.” (Audience applauded lustily.)
The workshop’s facilitator, Mr. Alfred Douglas, observed: “The Anguilla Cadet Corps Marching Band Workshop kicked off last Monday, December 14th.” He recounted: “It climaxed yesterday, and today we are having our closing ceremony. These workshop participants, standing before you, are a group of young persons who were given the opportunity to be patriotic to their country, Anguilla. Having them rise to the occasion of playing national ceremonial pieces must be highly commended, because there are not many youngsters who have the interest in playing in the likes of a military band.”
He noted that both the Pathfinders and the Boys Brigade were already players in drum bands. However, he made it clear that in playing for ceremonial events, the performance must extend beyond the actions and characteristics of a mere drum band, for it is an orchestrated type of music in which every band member must play a specific role, thus giving the ceremonial tune meaning, content and substance.
Present at the event was the Honourable Premier, Dr. Ellis Webster. He commented in part: “It is indeed a humbling experience for me to be asked to speak to such a smart group of young people. It was just over the past weekend that we held the funeral service for the late Mr. George Vernon Fleming who was instrumental in forming the Anguilla Cadet Corps. We have laid to rest the likes of a great patriot, one as resilient in his fight for freedom as he was. Now you, young people, are called to carry on his legacy.”
Prior to the distribution of participants’ certificates, Ms. Navine Fleming, the daughter of the late Vernon Fleming, made a few remarks to the new marching band members: “I applaud each and every one of you today for deciding to become a part of the Cadet Corps Marching Band. The difference between you and me,” she noted, “is that I stayed within the realm of the Girls Brigade, because there was no way that I was going to be under the discipline of the Cadet Corps. During my formative years, Daddy was in the Defense Force, or the St. Kitts Army, and he would have had a part to play in the Cadet Corps, but I wanted no part of it. I must say that my father was indeed proud of the Cadet Corps. So, on behalf of his children and the rest of our family, I stand here and pledge our support of you, the Cadets.”
During the two weeks of training, the facilitator, Mr. Alfred Douglas, was assisted by Mr. Lennox Vanterpool and Mrs. Kimba Southwell, both of whom are attached to the Music Department of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
