The Prince of Wales School Brass Band

The Prince of Wales School has a band—The Prince of Wales School Brass Band. The Band has nurtured many eminent Princewaleans who are outstanding in various fields in Sierra Leone and the Diaspora.
The Band attracts, promotes, and develops talented pupils within the school by aiding them to explore their talents in music through training sessions and music-orient educative programs organized by the Band. The Band is passionate about growing brass music among younger students in Sierra Leone and West Africa.

The Band was formed earlier before the school’s golden jubilee in 1975 by the Reverend Jonathan Fitz–John, who served as the first Band Master. The Band officially recognized Reverend Fitz-John during the school’s 50th anniversary Thanksgiving procession. At the conception of the Band, its ranks consisted of pupils who were present at that time at school and a few members of the Sierra Leone National Police Band to complement them. The uniform then was the school’s ceremonial uniform, including the obligatory boater.

In 1980, Mr. Ernest Redwood-Sawyerr (another Alumni) assumed the leadership role of the Band as Band Master. Mr. Ernest Redwood-Sawyerr introduced the first band uniform – the white tunic with green piping worn with white trousers and the ceremonial band uniform – the green tunic with marine blue piping. He guided the Band before handing it over to Mr. James Benka–Coker, who acted in that capacity until the adoption of a new constitution in 1996. The new administrative body split the Band Leadership into two positions: a Band Leader as the administrator and a Music Director responsible for the Band’s musicianship. Mr. David Peters was elected as an interim executive to oversee the transition process to the new constitution.

The Executive consists of qualified members elected in annual democratic elections tasked with decision-making and strategic planning to achieve the Band’s objectives each season. Under the new constitution, Mr. George Shepherd was the first Band leader, while Mr. Benka-Coker was the first Music Director. After Mr. Benka-Coker left the Band in 1997, the late Rev. Victor Warne, then Deputy Music Director, assumed the role of Music Director and served until 1999. Other past Band Leaders have been Messrs. David Peters, William Lewis, and Vivian Macfoy. Mr. Derick Ebu Pratt is the current Band Leader. Past democratically elected Music Directors have been Messrs. Raymond T Faux and Rodney Nelson Streeter. Mr. Eugene Onipede Gabbidon is the current Music Director.

The current Band comprises both past and present pupils of the school and non–Princewaleans. The Band has a particular membership category. An honorary member bestowed on personalities who have associated themselves and patronized the Band. The Band has over one hundred members on its register, with thirty (30) active and regular members always present. Its uniforms bear the school’s colors, with various designs used since the Band’s inception. Today the Band continues to have two uniforms, one used for ceremonial events and another for regular engagements.

Many former band members now reside in the diaspora. However, in the UK, the former bandsmen continue to support and perform the school by playing at the Old Boys Thanksgiving service each year. Armed with the skillsets and attributes gained from the days in the Band many years ago, the former bandsmen can still play multiple instruments, play them well, and can also still “sight read.” As a result, bandsmen only need a short time to meet at the annual thanksgiving service, agree on who plays which instrument, and familiarize themselves with the order of service.

Since 2014, former bandmates have played alongside the church organ for the school’s annual thanksgiving service. The Band has twice successfully won the inter brass band competition held by the Ballanta Academy of Music in 2004 and 2005 and the All Works of Life (AWOL) Band of the year, including several inter–brass band football competitions.

For more information about the Prince of Wales School Brass Band, please email [email protected], or click on the Band’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/princeofwalesbrassband/