Police Band strikes a chord with young musicians

The storied Barbados Police Band, one of the world’s oldest active police bands, appears to be striking a new note of engagement with young people through its second annual open day workshop for secondary school music students, a police spokesman said Monday.

Speaking at the workshop’s launch at St. Leonard’s Boys School in Richmond, the Police Service Public Affairs and Communications Officer, acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite, said the programme is designed to give students a real-world glimpse into the discipline and demands of a professional musician.

“What this is intended to do is really to sharpen the skills of the music students within our secondary schools,” he explained. “It’s also to expose them to the rigours of what it takes to be a professional musician… they will be exposed to the general rehearsing of the band, all the things that the band will go through on a daily basis in preparing for their assignments throughout the year.”

Beyond musical development, Insp Brathwaite stressed the wider social value of the initiative. “We want to develop better minds, we want to develop stronger minds and more disciplined and rounded students, and this is also part of our community engagement and give back to our society. That’s what it’s all about.”

The three-day workshop brings together students from across the island, with organisers expecting between 100 and 150 participants this year — an increase from the 96 students representing 11 schools in its inaugural staging last year.

Despite minor delays from some schools, Insp Brathwaite said participation remains high, with structured sessions designed to maximise learning.

He explained: “They’ll have breakout rooms today where the clarinet players, the trombone players, everybody will go with their different groups. Come Wednesday, we will have a big ensemble here at the St Leonard’s School [where] the Barbados Police Service band and the secondary schools of Barbados will be giving a grand presentation.”

He also underscored the longstanding role of the police band in national life, noting its legacy alongside the wider force. “We are working to serve, protect, and reassure our country – 137 years of music coming from the Barbados Police Service band, 191 years of police in Barbados… your interest is our interest, and we will do what it takes to protect and serve you all of Barbados.”

Deputy Director of Music Dexter Norville encouraged students to take full advantage of the opportunity, describing the workshop as both educational and inspirational.

“You are all gathered here today to participate in this three-day seminar or workshop, and to give you a sneak introduction of what we do on a daily basis,” he said.

Norville revealed that the initiative was the brainchild of Station Sergeant Jerome Clarke, who also serves as a recruitment officer. “Some years ago, he brought the idea to us and we simply told him to make it happen, which, of course, he’s so ably doing.”

Reflecting on last year’s success, Norville noted the overwhelmingly positive feedback from participating schools, which led directly to the programme’s return.

“Our intentions are not only to educate and motivate you in the area of music performance, but to also encourage you to join our ranks,” the deputy band director added.

The band was formed in 1889 when 19 young constables with musical ability were selected from regular foot patrols and trained under a British Army officer then stationed at the Garrison. The band, which has played a central role in ceremonial, national and community events for more than a century, has attracted large groups of students from the then St Joseph Boys’ School, St Silas Boys’ and in recent years, Alleyne School. 

The band, beloved by Barbadians and visitors, has performed at international military tattoo shows and made historic appearances on American network television and at a global exposition in the 1960s.