By gail saunders, Contributing Writer

The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band was established in about 1893. It then comprised twelve members, who also were engaged in the normal police duties "but were given time off" to practice and perform at official engagements.

The "part-time arrangement...continued until 1958" in which year it became a 'complete entity' and in 1964 a separate unit of the Force. ('A History of the Royal Bahamas Police Force').

In the early 1900s, the Band was short of instruments and the budget did not provide funds to purchase additional ones. Mr. Leon E.H. Dupuch, founder and editor of The Tribune, assisted in raising funds to obtain the instruments. The small band gave Friday evening concerts on the Library Green, now known as the Garden of Remembrance. It is said that Mr. Dupuch provided the chairs and that the audience paid 3 pence (six cents) for their use.

The 1950s saw dramatic improvements in the Band. New instruments were purchased and in 1951 the bandmaster of the US Air Force Band, New Mexico, Warrant Officer, E.du'Bouchaire visited Nassau and gave music instruction to the Band. During the following year, a brass instrument was acquired and by the end of 1952 the band had given 39 concerts.

Commissioner Colchester-Wemyss, (1955-1963) did much to upgrade the Band. In 1956 he recruited twelve specialists, including Mr. Dennis Morgan who served as conductor and musical director of the Police Band until 1977. Mr. Morgan took the Bahamas Police Force Band up to 'military standard.' He was assisted by Mrs. Mickey St. George, music teacher at the Government High School. She arranged much of the music for the Band and made cummerbunds for the officers. Dennis Morgan also raised standards and introduced the Royal School of Music's Practical and Theory Examination to the Police Band members.

He saw the necessity to have Band members trained and educated in music. This innovation continued and today there is a close relationship between the Police Band and the College of The Bahamas' Music Department.

Inspector Whitney Johnson, who died recently, was the first Band Member to obtain an Associate of Arts degree in music from the College of The Bahamas. There are a number of Band Members presently studying music at the College.

It was during Colchester-Wymm's tenure that the uniform of the entire force was changed including the Band which wore "the white pith helmet with chin strap attached to the peak with a red band and feather adorned...helmet. Leopard skins were worn by the drummers." Later, the usual brown leather belt was replaced by a red and gold striped belt or cumberband. (A History of The Bahamas Police Force).

Under Dennis Morgan's directorship, the Band traveled abroad for the first time in 1962. In October of that year, the Band played at a meeting of the Society of Travel Agents in Las Vegas. At that time it numbered 32 members who, except in emergencies, performed musical duties full time. The Band's schedule increased and it performed at various functions between seventy three and one hundred and fifty six times a year.

Inspector Babbs who succeeded Dennis Morgan and Superintendent George, who is the present Director, continued the traditions he had set. Educational programmes, and travel continued. The Band has traveled over much of the world including the Caribbean, the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Every officer who joins the Band now reads music and the College offers ten week courses occasionally to upgrade standards.

Certain innovations have been established in the last twenty or so years. The Band has grown, now numbering eighty two members. It has nine women; Antionette Douglas, a flutist, was the first female to join the Band in 1984.

Not only does the Band play instrumental music, it also includes singing in its performances. A soloist is a member of the Band. Adderlie Johnson now retired, was the first "singing policeman." There are now two Pop Bands, each one has seventeen members.

The Band's repertoire which varies includes all types of music including popular songs, calypso, marches and gospel. Its standards are truly world-class and its popularity, both at home and abroad, is legendary.