Don’t let training go to waste – Deputy COP

By attending the Police Band summer programme, participants have the opportunity to learn skills that will help them to perform better academically.

One hundred and twenty-one children participated in this year’s programme and it concluded on Friday with a graduation ceremony.

Frankie Joseph, the deputy Commissioner of Police, commended parents for allowing their children to participate in the 11th staging of the summer programme, which was held under the theme “Empowering young minds to be disciplined through the art of music”.

“The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and the Police Band did not embark on this summer programme because we wanted to babysit your children over the past four weeks, nor did we implement this programme to merely entertain your children,” he said.

“The Police Band summer programme was conceptualised mainly because of the tremendous and numerous personal benefits that your child or your children can gain from participating in this programme.”
Joseph added that playing an instrument has many benefits, which include learning to be disciplined, increasing memory and brain capacity and boosting listening skills.

The deputy commissioner also said that these skills can positively impact one’s grades at school.

And he urged the participants to not let the skills that they learned during the programme “go to waste”.

Throughout the programme, participants were taught how to play various instruments including the recorder, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, keyboard, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, side drums and the steel pan.

But bandmaster, Assistant Superintendent of Police Daniel Hall said that participants were also exposed to other aspects of music and other material during the programme.

“They were not only taught the practical aspect of music but the theory and rudiments as well. They were also taught how to care for, store and proper posture when playing the instrument,” he said.

Participants also engaged in arts and craft sessions as well as home economics. They were also given talks on discipline, human trafficking, motivation and self-esteem.

“The Police Band summer programme serves as an alternative for students on the long summer vacation. It serves as an opportunity for children age nine to 15 to be gainfully occupied and help to keep them away from mischief,” Hall said. “They are given the opportunity to learn a skill which can harness for future employment. The programme enables students to develop social skills such as cooperation, team work and socialisation.”

Hall thanked the parents for allowing their children to attend the programme as well as band members who helped to make it a success.

After receiving certificates, participants had an opportunity to show off their skills with the saxophone and steel pan.