On Saturday 14 marching bands competed in the second annual Belize Band Fest. The competition began at 8 am with a massive parade through the main streets of the city and ended at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex for the second part of the competition and that's where our story begins.
Keith Swift Reporting,
On Saturday afternoon it was standing room only in the bleachers at the Marion Jones Stadium. All these spectators - both young and old - were here for the battle of the marching bands and not even the rain sent them home. In the mix were Prime Minister Said Musa and Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya - political adversaries who united for a day - or for an afternoon.
[Emcee Introducing Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Said Musa and Mayor Zenaida Moya]
And though there were the dignitaries, Saturday's celebrities were the bands and the pack was led by Anglican Cathedral College's 48 member band. Sydney Rosado is ACC's bandleader.
Sydney Rosado, ACC
"Everyday we started at five until about nine and weekends we had from one to about six. From when I was younger I used to play with another band so
it is something I said, one of these days when I get older, I will try to create my own band so it is something that I love."
The band with perhaps the biggest challenge was the ensemble from Stella Maris School. They call themselves the 'Futuristics' and the bandleader is Akinzadd Atkens - a teacher at the school. He says the Futuristic's presence in the band fest is to accomplish more than just taking home the top prize.
Akinzadd Atkens, Stella Maris School
"We did a lot because as you would have realized, most of these kids are special kids. So rather than saying it was a difficult task, I will say persistence and perseverance on the part of the persons teaching them actually paid off at the end of the day. This is a morale booster for special kids knowing fully well that they attend a special school and they will be performing alongside other regular persons on the streets. So it goes a long way in encouraging them and doing more themselves and actually fitting into the society."
The Succotz Festival Drum Corp is last year's senior champs and they returned
this year to prove a point. Roberto Chan is the band's manager.
Roberto Chan, Succotz Festival Drum Corp.
"It is a very very hard work, lots of dedication. How can I explain to you, those people have to really really have discipline."
And while Succotz had a point to prove, St. Luke's Methodist Band had a title to defend. They were last year's overall winner and this year bandleader Darren Humes says the band is without the services of last year's stars.
Darren Humes, St. Luke's Methodist Band
"I feel like the competition has caught up with us this year but nonetheless we are going to give it our best shot still."
But one star still with St. Luke's is 10-year-old Dwight Orosco.
Dwight Orosco, St. Luke's Band Member
"...my band master taught me and I just learnt."
The overall winner was the Succotz Festival Drum Corp. We should note that the Succotz Festival Drum Corp is one of three entries from that village. The Mount Carmel Primary School Band placed second.
