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Karl Doyle

QUEEN'S ROYAL COLLEGE SCOUT BAND

Events

Trip to Martinique...?

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History

The Queen's Royal College Scout Band was formed in 1980, as a Drum and Bugle Marching Band. The first public performance was the National Scout Marching Band competition of 1980. We won this competition; held at the Caribbean Scout Jamboree in Chaguanus of that year. We have won every subsequent Scout Marching Band event.

The Band had several members, who were proficient in the recorder, keyboards, pan or the guitar, and musical performances were a prominent part of the Scout program at Q.R.C.The marching band was given two very old trumpets and a trombone, which were used to play the same three note bugle calls that the bugles were playing.

By the next year the players were experimenting with other simple brass tunes. We bought two-second hand trumpets and one trombone. By adding two or three second hand instruments each year and with donations of lower brass instruments, we have been able to develop a full compliment of instruments for a concert band.

While the band still does marching band playing, the program is primarily of concert band music and ensemble music. Members of the band are encouraged to play keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, and the drum set. Each year-group has a pop band, which allows Scouts to play and perform other musical forms.

Most of the eighty Scouts who now play in the various sections of the band, would never have had the opportunity to play a musical instrument, as the expense of an instrument, and the cost of tuition would have been way beyond their means. For others, the motivation would hardly have been there. Tuition for the band is provided by the senior Scouts in a program of section leader instructors. The standard of the section leaders is progressed by attendance at workshops with professional instructors. The association with the National Youth Orchestra has enhanced the overall standard of the band. Most of the brass and woodwind sections of the orchestra are composed of Scout members.

The Queen's Royal College Scout Band continues to perform regularly at Scout and civic functions and is the only full Youth Concert band in Trinidad & Tobago. Members of the group have dominated all of the Instrumental classes, over the last ten years, of the Music Festival. Four members of the band have won the teen talent television show and a group has been second in Scouting for talent.

Several former members have gone on to musical careers these include:

Classical

Kerry Roebuck - Clarinet,

Carlyle McKenzie - Flute,

Makhanyolia Khoza - Trumpet,

Kester Francis - Euphonium,

Kirk Nelson - Voice,

Kevin Mills - Piano

Popular

Demetrius Fraser - Trumpet,

Peter Thompson - Saxophone,

Shaka Charles - Trombone,

Michael Lowchitung - Key boards,

Renne Coriat - Drums

Lisa Wickam - Vocals,

Kirke Mitchell - Vocals,

Neal Bernard - Bass Guitar

Ronald Adams - Vocals,

Richard Chapman - Drums,

Randall Richardson - Trumpet,

Allan Robinson - Drums Kitson Kruckshank - Vocal,

Philip Hill - Key Board,

Aldwin Web - Clarenet,

Wayne Charles - Trumpet,

Renore Rollocks - Bass & Key board,

Several Former Band members are actively directing church groups and ensembles at other schools, playing with amateur groups, and choirs, or playing for fun. These individuals were in the band before we were as organized as we are now. Most of our present members are much better players; at their age, than those who have gone before therefore, the Scout Band hopes to continue to produce the quality of individual and group performance associated with the band over the last fifteen years.

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