Latest update December 12th, 2024 1:00 AM
Police Military Band celebrates 150th anniversary
The Guyana Police Force Military Band (MS) is celebrating one hundred and fifty years of service to the people of Guyana.
The band, which was initially named the British Guiana Militia Band, was established on August 22, 1858 by authority of Ordinance Number 21 of 1858, with a complement of one Band Master, one Band Sergeant and twenty Band Privates.
By the same Ordinance, Mr. Christian A. Ahrens was, on August 28, 1858, appointed Band Master.
In 1957, the band was drafted into the Guyana Police Force.
Serving members at the time were given the option to join the Police Force as policemen, or resign.
Ninety percent of the members then joined the Force, and were given regulation numbers in the 5900 series.
The band had its first challenge, and among the highlights for the band was during 1884, when His Majesty, the late King George V (then Prince George), serving as a junior officer aboard H.M.S. Britannia, visited Guyana and a cricket match was arranged between the ship’s crew and a team from the Georgetown Club.
The captain of the ship wanted to test the efficiency of the band, and sent selected scores from the ship’s band library for the locals to play at intervals on the day of the match. The band surpassed all expectations, much to the delight of Prince George and the ship’s crew.
Another major appearance for the band was at Wembley, England, in 1924, where it played at an exhibition and placed second.
Subsequently, some administrative changes were made between 1935 and 1956.
In April of 1969 the band played at an exposition in Grenada.
The band also toured Suriname in 2005 and, to date, has thrilled the hearts of many during their numerous band concerts and other performances.
The band has seen 14 leaders, and these are: Christian A. Ahrens, F. Hartung, Charles Fricke, John Miller, G. Horner, Captain A.R. Croal, Lieutenant Albert W. Fawcett, Lieutenant Sydney W. Henwood, M.V. De Abreu, Edward Rogers, P.G. Small, Morris Watson, Leon Waddle and, presently, Assistant Commissioner Cecil Bovell, who is the first Guyanese by birth to be trained as a Band Master.
He is currently the Director of Music and Culture of the Guyana Police Force.
The Police Military Band will also showcase its prowess during the current Carifesta celebrations.
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