Olympic Anthem brings inspiration to Catherine Hall Sports Complex

July 6 was a historic day for the Olympic movement and Jamaica as, for the first time, the Olympic Anthem was delivered by 11 bands on parade, with each performing the masterpiece composed by Greek opera titan Spyridon Samaras, with lyrics by Greek poet Kostis Palamas.

The Catherine Hall Sports Complex was ablaze with trumpet fanfare and drumbeats as the 11 ensembles, each totalling more than 40 persons from several parishes across the island, marched and went through their routines before an enthusiastic crowd that was captivated for four hours.

The event, billed ‘Marching Band Explosion’, was staged by the St James chapter of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica (LMAJ).

Title sponsors, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), came on board last year and its president, Christopher Samuda, was impressed with the diversity of talent, poise and discipline of Jamaica’s youth and their renditions of the anthem.

POWERFUL CALL TO ACTION

“An inspiring experience hearing the Olympic Anthem being played 11 times with gusto and dexterity by Jamaica’s youth. They did justice to the universal anthem, which is a powerful call to action, friendship, brotherhood respect, courage, unity and victory,” Samuda said. “Our youth gave us lessons, and I am a proud man tonight.”

Eagle Star band won an award of $150,000 for the best rendition of the Olympic Anthem and it also copped the award, for a similar amount, for being the best dressed band.

Claudette Bryan, vice-president of the St James chapter of the LMAJ, former acting custos of St James and the event’s planner, was the driving force behind the event.

Commenting on the inclusion of the Olympic Anthem and JOA’s support, she said: “It was an eye-opener and a moment of exposure to the people that there exists an Olympic Anthem, and that the JOA is not just about competitive sports, but has a deeper concern for the welfare of all Jamaicans in many sectors of the society.

“In supporting Jamaica’s marching bands, which have been deep-rooted in the sustenance and development of at-risk, unattached and vulnerable youth and persons in communities plagued with violence and inequality, the JOA is setting an example. And President Samuda, by standing each time the anthem was played, was indeed educational and transformative for our youth.”

‘Explosion’ was very descriptive, as it captured the energy, passion and drama of the event, which is “all part of the DNA of sport, the spirit of our anthem and JOA’s vision that allows us to see over and beyond the horizon,” said Ryan Foster, the JOA’s secretary general and CEO.

Montego Bay businessman Clive Waldron, a principal organiser of the event, commented that “what was very inspiring was that many became aware of the Olympic Anthem, and it was so refreshing and commanding”.

Each band received a grant of $100,000 to participate and assist in defraying rehearsal, uniform and equipment costs, plus $100,000 for transportation. The award for the most disciplined band was given to Eastern Rangers, which received $100,000, while the Best Band Leader/Performer award of $150,000 went to Waterhouse Steppers.

The LMAJ chapter is planning to invite Caribbean bands to participate in the event next year.

Said Bryan: “The involvement of the JOA in this event is revolutionary, to say the least, and I hope it will continue to join us in this awesome experience and initiative, which now has come of age with over 600 young people participating.”