B.D.F Band to Expand to Include Belize Ethnic Cultures

Major Kevin Campbell

And just in case you were marveling at the performance of the Belize Defense Force Band at the September tenth ceremony, today we were briefed that military bands like the B.D.F. Band are much more than a marching band. In fact, there will soon be a diversification of musical military band performances for your musical pleasure. Today the B.D.F. Band Director, Major Kevin Campbell explained that the B.D.F. Band will have four ensembles, and these include: a marimba, a Garifuna, a Mestizo and a steel pan ensemble for different events.

Major Kevin Campbell, Director of Music, B.D.F. Band

“When you talk about the 156th Army Band, they’re not only that marching or ceremonial band, but they can split up into different ensembles and the Belize Defense Force Band is going in that same direction, in that we had a volunteer band before, and now government has decided to establish a full time band. So we will have a regular band, and we are looking to set up ensembles too but homegrown. We’re looking to get a marimba ensemble, a Garifuna ensemble. We’re looking for a Hispanic ensemble that can play the mariachis, and of course, steel pan ensemble. So those are going to be our ensembles, and not only, for example, that ceremonial marching band.”