The Cadet Corps of Anguilla, under the leadership of Captain and Commander, Mr. Neville Hamilton, embarked upon a one-week workshop that will allow young people to be trained in the rudimentary skills of playing in a marching band. The workshop opened on Monday, December 14th and extends to Wednesday, December 23rd.
The opening ceremony was held at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium on Monday morning, with the Moderator being Ms. Gleneva Hodge. Commander Hamilton in his remarks stated: “Plans for the reality of this workshop had not just materialised lately. This effort is a continuation of a vision that was established over 30 years ago when the Anguilla Cadet Corps was under the command of Lieutenant George V. Fleming. The Anguilla Cadet Corp established its Drum Corps which grew into the Anguilla Community Band, headed by the late Mr. Mitch Geisner.
“Other youth groups also made efforts to develop their own Drum Corps. These included the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders and the Boys Brigade of the Methodist Church. Since the re-launch of the Cadet Corps in 2016, having a Drum Corps was a major priority. Mr. Alfred ‘Allie’ Douglas was appointed to First Class Drum Major with the view of establishing that Cadets Drum Corps.”
Mr. Hamilton said that in a recent visit to the late George V. Fleming – during his illness – Mr. Fleming expressed his desire that the Drum Corps be established and perform for national ceremonial events.
Mr. Hamilton noted: “This week, participants in the Drum Corps Workshop will be taught the disciplines of playing in a ceremonial marching band.” He went on to emphasise the importance of unity and teamwork in group performance, and said that the hallmark of the Drum Corps will be playing as “one band with one sound”. At the end of his address, he alluded to a quote from Andrew Carnegie: “Successful teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organisational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”
The Chief Education Officer, Mr. Bren Romney, was at hand and voiced his appreciation for the Cadets. He said: “This is a timely and important initiative. There is a critical need to be filled for both this marching band in the Anguilla Cadet Corps and in the wider community of Anguilla. I see this as a natural progression of the work of the Anguilla Cadet Corps which has been started some years ago, and which I am confident will continue in the decades ahead.
“I must take this opportunity to express my personal appreciation for the members of the Cadets and all those that continue to support this organisation. You make a positive impact on the lives of the young men and women who are members of the Corp.”
“This marching band workshop,” Mr. Romney declared, “will be started today by facilitator, First Class Drum Major, Alfred Douglas, who will be ably 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. I heartily thank these facilitators.”
Present from the Ministry of Social Development and Education was the Hon. Minister Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers, accompanied by Hon Ministerial Assistant, Mr. Merrit Richardson. In addressing the participants, in particular, Minister Kentish-Rogers noted: “I do want to impress upon you that this is a very great opportunity to learn your musical skills, discipline and teamwork. The connections that you will be building in this workshop are going to serve you in variable ways throughout your lives.
“I can’t help but thank Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Douglas for the hard work which they continue to put into the Cadet Corps. They are both great leaders and great examples of good leadership. I trust that going forward they will serve our community well. Indeed, I do encourage the participants to take advantage of this training and I wish you all the best of luck.”
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
