Beloved musical director Lovell dies in the USA

By Kimberley Cummins

A perfect gentleman!

That is how members of The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) band are remembering former director of music, Senior Superintendent Gordon Lovell.

Lovell, who served as director of the world renown band from 1982-87, passed away last night in New York
at the age of 94.

The band’s current director, Senior Superintendent Andrew Lynch and retired former directors, senior superintendents Keith Ellis and Dr. Christopher Atherley were among those that paid tribute to the nonagenarian. They all described Lovell as a good man and officer who was respectful of all people.

Lynch recalled that when he joined the band in 1977, Lovell at the time was instrumental in the teaching of apprentices and whether knowingly or unknowingly fell into the role of mentor for him.

He always had time to share encouraging words, advice, and so on to the point that, in terms of musicianship, Lynch was able to learn a tremendous amount from him.

“I remember as a youngster, I think I was a band apprentice at the time and I was getting trouble with my instrument and I was blaming the instrument and I went to him. He took the instrument and he played it like the Angel Gabriel and he said to me, it’s not the instrument, it’s me,” Lynch said as he laughed.

“So, for that I had to go sit down and practise, and that encouraged me really to practise more to achieve what I wanted to acheive in terms of musical ability at the time.

He was a very good teacher and a very good instrumentalist. He also used to play the xylophone and for that too, I kind of moved toward xylophone as well. To me he was a real mentor. He was very approachable… and he was the one who promoted me from a band apprentice to police constable in 1982,” he added.

Lovell joined the ranks of the band on July 9 th, 1942 at age 15. In 1982 he took over the position of director from Superintendent Prince Cave. A year later he made the ground breaking decision to admit the first females into the band, these were: Dorian Seale, Yolande Bourne, and the late Station Sergeant Juan Walrond.

This was said to be one of his greatest accomplishments. Lovell retired in 1987 and subsequently migrated to the United States.

However, Lynch made the point that Lovell never forgot the band and would pass through to lend a hand or give advice when needed, whenever he returned to the island.

“He was very approachable and one of the things I admired about him was he was always very youthful. At the time when we come to work his office was upstairs, I’ve never seen him walk up those stairs.

Every time he gets to those stairs he would run up those stairs. He was a very good table tennis player too. He would come with the guys and play table tennis. He was very likeable. He will surely be missed,” Lynch maintained.

Ellis, who served as Director of Music from 2013 to 2018 also expressed his condolences on Lovell’s passing.

“I am privileged and also grateful to have had the opportunity to have served under the command of S/Supt.

Gordon Lovell 1981-1987 when he retired. He was a man with great talent and knowledge and excelled at playing the trumpet, the cornet and the xylophone. He was respected by all as he was a great leader.

Many things he taught me while being his subordinate. I will forever treasure the years which I spent under his command.  He was a true gentleman and a great leader. Heartfelt condolences to his family, the current and past members of the RBPF,” Ellis said.

On the other hand, Dr. Atherley, the longest serving music director from 1991- 2012, said that Lovell was
a true patriot.

“Mr. Lovell was a fine disciplinarian with a love for his job in the Police Force. He was a very caring person with an unreserved interest in the welfare of others.

He was always willing to help and I will remain thankful for the good report he gave on my behalf to the Music Department when I was preparing to leave the Band to enter University in Canada in 1977.

May he rest in peace.

He served his country well,” Dr. Atherley said. Upon retirement, Lovell also played the cello in the Barbados Chamber Orchestra, and he was said to be instrumental in starting the Barbados Youth Orchestra.