STAY WELL & SPARKLE – The Music Lovers Dream

bandThe spark in retired Bandmaster Hesketh Casimir’s eyes was amazingly sharp – without glasses! And his wit was even sharper at his 97th birthday bash last Friday night at the Fort Young Hotel.

“Continue batting your innings, as you have, Sir,” boomed bandsman Reginald St. Havis Shillingford in that stentorian voice of a veteran cricket commentator. “Don’t go for any big shots and I have no doubt that you will make it to your century!”

One does not have to be a connoisseur of fine music to savour this exquisite and profound dimension of our history. Who is this man anyway? And what one unfulfilled dream still haunts him? What is it that does our Government Band lacks, which all its counterparts in the entire Caribbean can be proud of? This vignette and the remarks that follow should offer some clues:

The story was told of a band member arriving late for memorial parade at the Cenotaph. The brightly uniformed unit was already in formation as the band member jumped the fence with his instrument, trying sneak in from behind. “Please leave!” ordered the Bandmaster. The rest of the team dared not look back, but knew exactly what was going on. When the latecomer hesitated, the same order was repeated with increasing volume. This Bandmaster’s motto had been well drilled into everyone’s consciousness, “Time is time!” Needless to say, hushed silence prevailed throughout the multitude as the chastened player retreated with his tail between his legs, never more to offend again.

 Clayton Balthazar, Bingsworth Casimir, Hesketh Casimir and Kenneth Tyson

Clayton Balthazar, Bingsworth Casimir, Hesketh Casimir and Kenneth Tyson

This high commitment to principle was an oft-repeated sentiment that night. Former Drum Major Francis Richards had pulled off a spectacular surprise. He provided a fitting platform for current and retired colleagues of the Music Lover’s Government Band to heap accolades on their leader of nearly forty years. His public service virtues now seem of a bygone era. Yet, they hold powerful lessons for each of us committed to nation building. Unfortunately, the followers of this exemplary leader are in a sense still wandering in the wilderness. And that glaring need hangs overhead like the sword of Damocles, threatening the very viability of the band itself. This article ends with a poem as motivational as any I have ever come across, not only for those in the musical arts, but indeed in any field of human endeavor.

Hesketh Casimir was bestowed to Dominica way back in 1918, coinciding with the cessation of hostilities in WWI. In civilian life he was best known as proprietor of Ceebees on Cork Street, the Jays of its day. His most worthy successor, Bandleader Valena Letang recalls regularly patronizing the store for the monthly editions of ‘Schoolgirls’ magazine with the same passion of today youth attach to soap operas and video games.

Kenneth Tyson of proud Kalinago ancestry is one of two surviving founding band members to whom we owe an enormous debt of gratitude. Their cohorts featured the likes of L.M. Christian who went on to pen the music to the National Anthem, “Isle of Beauty.” Tyson zeroed in on Mr. Casimir’s no nonsense attitude and devotion above the call of duty.

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Following him to was Bing Casimir, better known as the Swinging Stars iconic trumpeter. Bing praised his distinguished namesake for paying for his music lessons and being completely responsible for his own impressive career in music. Norman ‘Balty,’ Cornelius, Simeon, Harris, Havis, Peter, Richards, Mrs. Letang and his very close friend Max regaled with stories of tribulations and triumphs over the years.

In their day, Music Lovers traveled in seatless dumpers over unpaved roads to purvey their sweet notes to furthest reaches of the country. Oftentimes, on such trips they would shelter from rain under the same dusty tarps used to cover aggregate. They endured the inconveniences of travelling on a ‘lighter’, which was towed along the west coast. On several occasions they crossed the once-again infamous Boetica Gorge on a Land Rover using chains on the wheels. (For those who have experienced bitter winters, these were ‘snow tires’ in Dominica – imagine that!)

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Today, Dominica boasts three other marching bands: two Scouts and one Cadet. Consequently, youth from the countryside have the same long-cherished opportunity to funnel into the Music Lovers – the proud legacy of Roseau-based families who have served in this venerable national institution over the generations.

Though knocking at the door of his century, ‘Cazo’ still is a self-sufficient bundle energy. One cannot help but think, “This is what I’d want to be like if I ever get that ripe old age!” So, say no more. Let me close with the words of this illustrious man himself. Feel the indomitable spirit of Rueben Hesketh Casimir – verbatim – as he delivers his swan song speech in 2004:

“Towards the end of the World War 11 the Band of original Dominica Defense Force (DDF) led by Drum Major Cecil A. Bellot was dissolved and all its musical instruments were transferred to Antigua by the colonial authorities. As a result of this arbitrary action, there was a deplorable absence of live and appropriate music at ceremonial functions especially military parades. As the years went by, the situation progressively worsened and reached a point which prompted a ‘rescue’ operation by a number of former DDF Band members (including yours truly) who were subsequently joined by other civic minded musicians to form a quasi-military band to be called ‘Music Lovers’.

Owing to the limited number of musical instruments immediately available, general priority was given to those who already had their own. The ‘Music Lovers’ Band was formally launched on the 7th day of June 1951 when it played under the leadership of the said Cecil A. Bellot at the Military Parade which highlighted the official observance of the birthday of the then British Monarch. This event continued to be observed here annually until 1978 when on 3rd November of that year, Dominica attained its political independence and opted to be a republic.

On that auspicious occasion, the Band made its presence felt by the role it played in the military display and otherwise, only to be embarrassingly overlooked when official kudos were being extended to all and sundry.

Notwithstanding this treatment, records will show that the Band has consistently participated in all Independence Celebrations since then, not to mention other ceremonial occasions and annual Christmas tours of out-districts. Following the resignation of Cecil Bellot in 1968 for health reasons, I was entrusted with the leadership and continued in that position until my retirement in 2004 – a matter of 36 years at the helm which (you better believe me) was no enviable task.

As I look back, I can vividly recall during my 53-year membership that many difficulties and problems encountered by the Band, the nature of some of which I would prefer not to venture to tell at this time. It should be noted however, that assistance in our fund-raising efforts came largely through public dances and other social activities while some support, financial and otherwise, was received from various business firms and private individuals.

Current Band Leader Valena Letang with Ann Marie Clark and Jacqueline Andre.
Current Band Leader Valena Letang with Ann Marie Clark and Jacqueline Andre

Government, for its part, undertook to provide a token grant annually to help defray the high cost of sheet music. This level of assistance from the authorities was to see no appreciable change until some ten years later when a decision to acquire the Band’s assets was implemented and payment of a monthly stipend to individual members was agreed upon among other terms and conditions.”

band5Mr. Casimir closed his 2004 speech with these words:

“One of the critical conditions yet to be fulfilled, however is the provision of a suitable and permanent facility for this statutory body which notwithstanding its long existence, continues to conduct all its activities in an environment that leaves much to be desired. Oh! What a wonderful and special Anniversary gift it would be if those in authority were to heed this latest appeal and hopefully announce that something to that effect was about to happen.

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DESPAIR NOT, PLAY ON !!
Though the path of yours be far from rosy,
And your future plans not bright and cosy.
Do not despair by failed expectations,
Steer the course and conquer all frustrations
Just be steadfast and don’t ever weary
Please be of good cheer, and do not worry
Life is a mighty challenge and not fun
Down not your tools, you’ve only just begun
Let’s go to the Garden of Orpheus
Where sweet sounds of music will regale us
Garner support for this great occasion
Strike up the Band, play on fellas, play on!
R. Hesketh Casimir

Maj. Sam Christian is Medical Officer of the Dominica Cadet Corps and operates Urgent Care on Bath Road. For more information, please click on the Urgent Care website http://urgentcareda.weebly.com/

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13 Comments

  1. June 9, 2020

    Hi, love from me and my wife. It is such an interesting story and so lovely. Thanks for sharing with us.

  2. Gerard Benjamin
    November 5, 2015

    A very fitting and well deserved tribute by Dr. Sam Christian to an iconic figure, Mr Heskeith Casimir/ Bandmaster emeritus. Growing up in Roseau as a young boy,the Music Lovers Band was to me both symbolic of, and synonymous with the very soul of the city itself. To simply put it,Roseau wasn’t Roseau minus the Music lovers.
    The awe filling military music for which I acquired a profound fascination has left its mark of a residual nostalgia within me. I salute you Mr Casimir on the observance of your ninety seventh birthday and may good health and salvation from the Lord be yours. I trust that your long held and yet unfulfilled dreams for the band will still be realized in your lifetime. To God be the glory.

  3. LawieBawie
    November 5, 2015

    Very nice article. Quite nostalgic.

  4. Ailas...
    November 5, 2015

    Look at the number of houses government building. Ailas! What the man do them that they treating so?

  5. Worse?
    November 5, 2015

    Are our autorities worse than the colonial authorities?

  6. Jimmy Honore
    November 5, 2015

    Wow…this article should be archived as part of our patrimony.

  7. an
    November 5, 2015

    Well deserved!

    Give flowers whilst alive. Long overdue. Well done

  8. Henrietta
    November 4, 2015

    Nice article… I’m very proud of KENNETH TYSON and i am glad i know him personally :-D :-D :-D .

  9. BEB
    November 4, 2015

    I’m not too sure whether u have the correct year Mr. C. Bellot retired from the band. I joined the Police Force in 1969, to me, Mr. Bellot was still the band’s master. I may be wrong but could u re-confirm this?. Lovely put together script.

  10. Splendid Tribute to a True Nation Bullder!
    November 4, 2015

    Dr. Sam Christian has rendered a most splendid tribute to a true nation builder Hesketh Casimir and all those who work for love of country in the Music Lovers band. I want to say thank you Sir, your accolades are well deserved. You have made our lives sweeter by the work you did and continue. What an inspiration.

    Dr Christian, you are as good a writer as a doctor – with a good bedside manner! Keep it up. Your time will come.

  11. real deal
    November 4, 2015

    That’s some rich history. They are true heroes of Dominica. I remembered watching u lead the band when I was a little boy. U were always neatly and sharply dress ready for the occasion. I salute u and wish u a long life to your hundredth birthday and more. Thank u Mr christian for bringing to the public’s eye of such extra ordinary heroes.

  12. Why Not?!
    November 4, 2015

    Anyone with architectural, engineering or city planning expertise should offer the Music Lovers free advice advice and consultancy to make Mr. Casimir’s dream a reality.

    I understand that only a tiny bit of encroachment on the Presidential palace grounds would add sufficient space to what they already have. This would provide an appropriate training home for this most visible and consistent symbol of our nationhood. I think we as a grateful and appreciative people can accomplish this while Mr. Casimir is still alive.

    Why not?

  13. November 4, 2015

    Happy Birthday to Mr. R.H.Casimir and the Music Lovers Band. Keep hope alive and keep the music playing one Day the music will by itself sing its own praises. Long live the music lovers Band.

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