BDF Band Handover Ceremony for Director of Music

Press Release BDF | 10 MAR 18
Photography: Captain Wesley Beckles, Lieutenant Shímar Gollop
Corporal Maynard D

The Barbados Defence Force Band has a new Director of Music. On Saturday 10 March 2018, in a brief handover ceremony on the lawn of the historic Officers’ Mess, Major Alfred Taylor relinquished the appointment of Director of Music and subordinate command was handed over to Lieutenant Brian Cole.

The ceremony was preceded by a 30 minute band concert conducted by Major Taylor during which he demonstrated the versatility of the band with a varied repertoire of some of his favorite selections spanning the 18 years of his tenure as Director of Music. The small but appreciative audience, which included Colonel Glyne Grannum (Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force), serving and retired Officers, Warrant Officers, enlisted ranks, family and well-wishers, relaxed in the cozy atmosphere of the Officers’ Mess. A highlight of the concert was a rousing performance of ‘Excerpts from Bajan Folk Suite’, a 3 movement orchestral transposition consisting ‘Bromley, Draw a Bucket of Water and Mr. John Bayne’, arranged by Mr. Roger Gittens who was in the audience.

Major Alfred Taylor addressing the audience

Colonel Grannum and several of the specially invited guests made brief remarks highlighting the achievements of the band over the years, thanking Major Taylor for his commitment and extended words of advice to Lieutenant Cole. Colonel Grannum also presented some tokens of appreciation to Major Taylor.

Lieutenant Cole received a ceremonial baton, sword and instruments of his appointment before conducting the band with a ‘farewell’ selection, Auld Lang Syne, to Major Alfred Taylor.

Lieutenant Brian Cole on Parade