Mr. Peters tries to keep accordion music alive

But not all the news off Albert Street was disheartening today, as just across the street at the House of Culture, one Belizean icon was determined to keep his music alive. Ann-Marie Williams reports.

Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting

The accordion has always been a part of the Belizean music scene, but now it’s an art on the brink of extinction. Mr. Peters of Peters and the Boom and Chime Band is perhaps the best known player. He’s concerned that youths are not interested.

Wilfred Peters, Musician

“Proud fi know that I get old and you see some of the young kids come up and play it and di laugh. Right now I noh have none who seh well try learn it…they no want that.”

Professor Antonio Salas Negrette of Colombia is in Belize to teach those interested in learning to play the difficult instrument.

Prof. Antonio Salas Negrette, Musician

“It is not an easy instrument to play. One has to have an aptitude to play it. But through practice and dedication it becomes easier to play. It was difficult for me at first, but my father helped me a lot to master the accordion.”

For Mr. Peters, playing the instrument is a joy. He learned to play at his father’s knees and took over the famed Boom and Chime Band which has the accordion as its heart; never mind the other members don’t want to learn to play it.

Wilfred Peters

“They have their instruments that they play, but nobody no want say try, not even my son. I try hard fi mi (for my) son but he no want, he play the boom drum. He big and the boom drum big, I tell him, no you wrong, you play the accordion and you dah the boos. Many a times I would sit down home and tell him, you go out until I ready, play until I come. But no, if I noh go nothing can’t start.”

Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.

Belizeans who would like to learn to play the accordion can call the House of Culture at 227-3050 during working hours.