St. Martin’s De Porres gets donation of musical instruments

If you live in the neighbourhood you would know of the competitiveness between St Luke and St Martin’s Primary school. Both traditionally put off superb music performances at the annual Festival of Arts. While the competition is friendly, it is about to get a bit more fierce in their music programs. St. Martin’s has just been gifted with a set of musical instruments by the US Embassy. News Five’s Isani Cayetano was present when the donation was made today.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The friendly neighborhood rivalry that has for years existed between students of St. Martin’s Primary and St. Luke’s Methodist schools stepped up a notch today with a donation of musical instruments from the U.S. Embassy.  The collection of drums and snares were gifted to the upper division of St. Martin’s De Porres School to establish a marching band that over time is expected to give St. Luke’s a run for its money.  The school’s new bandmaster, Darrel Humes, has led his former group to victory in the annual Band Fest Competition.  He believes that the donation will go a long way in realizing that dream for St. Martin’s.

Darrel Humes, Bandmaster, St. Martin’s De Porres School

darrel humes

“It means a lot. For a long time—I’ve worked in this area for several years—and I was once the bandmaster over at St. Luke’s for like about thirteen years.  I just gave up that position this year and now I’m here.  I’m familiar with a lot of the children from here because they use to come over to band practices at St. Luke and take part in the practices and so on you know.  So I know they are really proud to have their own thing going now, you know, and I am sure that they’ll make very good use of the equipment.”

On hand for the presentation of the instruments was United States Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally accompanied by His Excellency Sir Colville Young who has been instrumental in bringing music to schools across the country.

vinai thummalapally

Vinai Thummalapally, U.S. Ambassador

“I am honored to be part of the development of the school’s first marching band and I look forward to the day when students get to march in the band’s first parade.”

The equipment, valued at an estimated seven thousand Belize dollars, was purchased through the U.S. Military Liaison Office’s Humanitarian Assistance Program.  While it may not be enough to outfit the entire band Humes says it is nonetheless a step in the right direction for the fledgling group.

Darrel Humes

“I know we won’t have enough equipment to, for everybody in the band but what I usually do because I started out, we probably have like about six marching snares, two basses and the xylophones but what I usually do with situations like that I usually have groups.  I group them and have them in groups, you know, so that one set will practice for half an hour and a second set another half and hour.  At least three groups, you know, so as we get instruments we don’t have to train.”

During his address the ambassador took time to acknowledge the school’s steadfast commitment to education and pledged to provide further assistance to the Government of Belize in that area.

Vinai Thummalapally

“Thank you to the staff and faculty of St. Martin De Porres School for your dedication to Belize’s future.  We are proud to be a sponsor of this particular program and I look forward to continuing our close relationship with the Ministry of Education as it continues its work on behalf of the people of Belize.”

St. Martin’s De Porres School, like many others, has integrated a music program into its curriculum.  That initiative coupled with today’s contribution, says Humes, will definitely see both schools going at it for marching band supremacy.

Darrel Humes

“Anybody who know me around the band scene know that I strive for perfection and it’s only a matter of time, only a matter of time and I don’t think it will be a long time.  I’m a very good motivator, very, very good and I always want to be good at what I do so most definitely it’s just a matter of time and we‘ll be in the top marching bands in Belize City.”

Following a cultural presentation by students Thummalapally and Sir Colville were given a brief tour of the school’s facilities. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.