THE BAND

The Barbados Cadet Corps Band comprises students from a number of Public and Private Secondary schools.  The Band meets on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for training.

They perform in two modes; as a military marching band and as a concert band.

The Band of today has inherited a proud tradition which dates back to the early 1920s when the Cadet Corps had a Drums and Fifes Band. In the period 1950 – 2006, individual school units had Drum Corps which catered to the schools’ activities and the activities of the unit.

In 1973, the Combermere Cadet Band was formed and for 22 years it was the only military band among Drum Corps at secondary schools in the island.  Its last performance was on the Independence Day Parade of 1995 when the National Cadet Band was formed.  Also, for this Parade, other secondary schools were added to the Band and this was the catalyst for the forming of the National Cadet Band.  It was the first occasion that the “Toy Soldier” uniform was worn by members of the Barbados Cadet Corps and they performed “Emmerton” (written by The Mighty Gabby) before the start of the Independence Day Parade.

The Band

BAND HISTORY 

The late Captain Crofton Corbin was named the Director of the National Cadet Band.  Since then, the Band has been under the baton of other officers.

As part of the 100th Anniversary of the Barbados Cadet Corps in 2004, the Band became a full-time unit.  It performed the display on the Independence Day Parade that year and again in 2005 which were both very well-received.

Also, In 2005, the Band attained Gold and Silver Awards for the first time at the National Independence Festival of Arts (NIFCA).

BCC Band thrilled audiences in St. Vincent in the summer of 2005 and the following year, they travelled to St Lucia.  The Band formed part of the Mass Band for Barbados’ Independence Parade later that year.

In July 2017, the members of the Band received the Chief of Staff Commendation for their outstanding performance at the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of the Canadian High Commission.

Additionally, in August 2018, the Band was awarded prizes for the Best Detachment at Administration and the Commandant’s Award for Best Overall Detachment for the academic year 2017-2018.

The Band also won two Silver Awards and an Incentive Award for the song ‘Hallelujah’ at NIFCA 2018 and Captain Len Cummins, the Director of Music, also received a Certificate of Merit for conducting.

This epitomises excellence as a result of commitment, dedication and discipline amongst our youth.

ANNUAL EVENTS

 

  • Holetown Festival
  • Sandy Lane Gold Cup
  • Barbados Secondary School Athletics Championships
  • May Day Parade
  • Remembrance Parade
  • Independence Parade
  • Crystal Cove Hotel
  • Turtle Beach Hotel
  • Community Concerts

 

INSTRUMENTATION

 

  • Flute
  • Clarinet
  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • French Horn
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba
  • Percussion

TRAINING PROGRAMME

The training programme consists of military and musicianship training.

Military training includes:

  • First Aid
  • Drill
  • Instructional Techniques
  • Leadership
  • Map and Compass
  • Physical Training
  • Sensible Living
  • Skill at Arms

Musicianship training includes:

  • Aural Tests
  • Band Drill
  • Conducting
  • Ensemble
  • Instrument Maintenance
  • Instrument Technique
  • Intonation
  • Music Theory
  • Prepared Music
  • Sight Reading