The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts at 27 Liverpool Street in the centre of Freetown has on Saturday, January 29, 2022 concluded a three-day school bands gala concert at the academy’s miniauditorium.
The bandsthat participated in the concert are:Five Star Brass from Ballanta Academy, Lumley High School band, Sierra LeoneArmy Forces (RSLAF) Regimental Band, Sierra Leone Grammar School Band, Golden Groove Big Band, St. Joseph’sSecondary School Band,Government Model Secondary School Band, Albert AcademyBand, St. Edward’sSecondary School Band etc.
According to Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen, the co-founder of the academy, the purpose of organising the concert wasto givebands from different schools a platformto showcase their talents.
She stated that school bands usually play good musicbut since they usually playduring thanksgivings,sometimes along the street, people could hardly feel and enjoy the power of their music. “As a result, we decided to create this platform wherein they can performtheir different pieces in concertwhile people sit, watch, listenand enjoy them.We have seen that the school bands have made so much improvement so far in their playing.So,for people to realize their potential and they themselves to know what they are capable of, we made this happen,” she said.
Major Alie BrimaVengar, the director of the RSLAF Band said,“I am very happybecause of the opportunity Ballanta has given us musicians to showcase our talents. We hope to have more of this kind from them.”
Major Vengar has30 years experiencein musician. He started playing music at the West Africa Methodist CollegiateSchool as a trumpeter, and in 1998, he was recruited into the military band.
CordilliaWilliams, a cornet player from the Government Model Band.said that she wasonly aware of the unique sound of their bandwhen she performing at the concert.“Since I started playing music two years ago, this is the first timeI have knownmy potential as a cornet player.I enjoyed everything about the concert especially the way I played. We are looking forward to seeing more concerts of thiskind,” she said.
Dr.Julius Spencer, the Board chairman of the academy, said, “All of us who have been here today and in the past two days, are going away with different impressions of the school bands. To see them doing this kind of performance with such inspiring music was a surprise to many ofus.”
Many of us only know them as musicians whocould only play for funerals and school thanksgivings in procession, but within these three days, our perceptions about them have changed.I now have a healthy respect for school bands, having heard them performed these past 3 days. I have been listening attentively to each of the performancesto take note of any false note,but I could not heara single one.”
Dr. Spencer explained that part of the reason for doing such performanceswas to raise funds for the academy’s auditorium which is almost complete.
He said having realized that there was no proper space for theatre in the country,he thought it fit to have one to give achance to people to explore their talents in the theatre world.“This space which we have started using now as an auditorium,used to be a garage. We have gone so far with the workbut hope to get it completedsoon.For us to reach this peak, we have been receiving donationsfrom individuals, embassies, banks and companies; we thank them for their support,” he said.
“To finish the construction of the auditorium, we will appreciate donations from anyone. We hope to open it in May this year with the performance of a modern musical drama which will be written and directed by me,” he concluded.
By Ibrahim S.Bangura