Our New Era Schools want their own Band. This would encourage youngsters to make music, learn an instrument, work together...but also it would make money for the schools. School bands lead a March through their area on Thanksgiving Day - Our school hired three bands this year from other schools, great if they had their own! They also play at Weddings and Funerals.
The Band of the Freetown Secondary School for Girls marches through Freetown. It was founded in 1926 with 20 pupils by Mrs. Hannah Benka-Coker and now has a student population of 2,200.
The Band of the Albert Academy, lead by the Headmaster, in a funeral procession. I remember visiting the Albert Academy and speaking at the Christian Union. I thought the name must have come from Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, but I was wrong. The school was founded in 1904 and named after an American missionary, Rev. Ira A. Albert who drowned in a boating accident.
The school started with 4 pupils and now has over 2000 boys between the ages of 11 to 18. Past pupils include two men who made a great contribution to the nation. Sir Milton Margai lead the country to independence in 1961 and was Prime Minister from 1961-1964. The other was Siaka Stevens, who was Prime Minister from 1967-71 and then the first Executive President of Sierra Leone from 1971-85.
Up country in Bo, second largest city after Freetown, Bo School also has a band. New Era Schools want one. They need brass instruments of any kind, and have only a couple of drums at present. Any offers of help would be appreciated.
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