The Band Of The Fiji Police

 

The Band Of The Fiji Police

The Band Of The Fiji Police

Cover photo by Charles Stinson

Recorded at Suva, Fiji by South Seas Recording Company

Viking VPS183

From the back cover: To the many visitors to these fair isles this record will serve as a reminder of a happy holiday, highlighted by the music of what is undoubtedly the youngest band in the Colonial Police – The Band Of The Fiji Police (1957) – under the baton of Supt. James Hempstead MBE, LRAM, ARCM, LGSM.

The Fiji Police Band was the brain child of the present Commissioner Mr. R. H. T. Beaumont MVO, who realized the potential there was in the inherent musical talent of the Fijian people. The first Bandmaster to whom much of the credit must go for the excellent quality of its performers was the late Deputy Supt. C. R. Cuncan LRAM, a most accomplished and efficient musician who died in harness in 1964.

Its present director, James Hempstead, has had a long and interesting career in military music, and will be best remembered as the Bandmaster of the 'Death or Glory Boys' the 17th/21st Lancers. Under his baton, the music for the Independence celebrations of both Ghana and Nigeria was presented, and this versatility makes itself evident in the diversified and excellent quality of the numbers offered in this disc.

Cavalry Call (March)

Waltzing Matilda (Song)

Officer Of The day (March)

Maori Battalion (March)

Meda Mai Laveta (Fijian Song)

Ancliffe In The Ballroom (Waltz Medley)

Mumu Mai (Fijian Song)

Buna Isa Lei Buna (Fijian Song)

Chulu Chululu (Fijian Song)

Glow Worm (Entracte)

Ono Na Maile (Fijian Song)

Tei Dalo (Fijian Song)

Isa Lei (Fijian Song)