125+ web files in a constantly updated Gazetteer on Bermuda's accommodation, activities, airlines, apartments, areas, art, artists, attractions, airport, aviation pioneers, banks, banking, beaches, Bermuda Status and citizenship, books and publications, British Army, businesses, calypso, Canadian military, causeway, churches, city of Hamilton, commerce, community, cruise ships, culture, cuisine, customs, Devonshire Parish, disability accessibility, districts, Dockyard, economy, education, employers, employment, entertainment, environment, executorships and estates, fauna, ferries, flora, food, forts, gardens, geography, getting around, golf, government, guest houses, history, Hamilton Parish, homes and housing, hotels, internet access, islands, laws and legal system, local groups and organizations, location, media, motor vehicle options, music, municipalities, Paget Parish, parishes, parks, Pembroke Parish, politics, postage stamps, public holidays, public transport, railway trail, religions, Royal Navy, Sandy's Parish, St. David's, St. George's Parish, shopping, Smith's Parish, Somerset, Southampton Parish, Spanish Point, Spittal Pond, sports, stores, telecommunications, traditions, time zone, town of St. George, United States armed forces, tourism, vacation planning, villages, vital statistics, water sports, weather, Warwick Parish, wildlife, work permits, etc. For tourists, business visitors, employers, employees, newcomers, researchers, retirees, scholars.

Bermuda's Music and Dance

Their many groups and personalities over the decades

By Keith Archibald Forbes (see About Us) exclusively for Bermuda Online

To refer to this file use "bermuda-online.org/beautifulbda.htm" as your Subject

Bands, local, present and past

Led by talented musicians, all volunteers, they include the:

• Apex 4 (1970, comprising Bethel AME Church members Robert Symonds, Eric Witter, brothers Harry Bean; Gary Bean).
• Arpeggios.
• Band of the Bermuda Regiment (telephone 238 2470). Military. Formed from the Bermuda Militia Artillery Band and Bermuda Rifles Band.
• Bermuda Boot Scooters.
• Bermuda Fire Service Band. 22 pieces. From paraded on Remembrance Day 1965 and lasted until the early 1970s. Mostly from former Bermuda Rifles musicians.
• Bermuda Islands Pipe Band (see below).
• Bermuda Sounds.
• Bermuda Strollers.
• Bermuda Trombone Quartet.
• Brassworks Brass Trio
• Church Lads Brigade Band which at one time had several branches. 
• Concerted Effort (a cappella singing group, formed in 1992 to raise funds for charity).
• Coral Islanders.
• Ensemble Singers (originally Word).
• Esso Steel Band.
• Exotique.
• Four Deuces.
• Happening BDA.
• H&H Gombeys
• Kingsley Swan's Band 
• Lance Hayward Quartet.
• Mark Williams Band.
• Mu-En Chorale  founded in 1965 by Lance Hayward.
• North Village Band (telephone 295 3333). Began June 29, 1863, initially with members from the Grand United Order of Oddfellows Alexandrina 1026, who came together because they wanted to cultivate the musical talents of their members. Initially, the band was the Alexandrina Band. They played and marched at Masonic Lodges, church services, fairs, street parades and dinner parties.
• Olympia Band.
• Mighty Skipper
• St. George's Band.
• Salvation Army Band (see below). 
• Shaky Ground Band.
• Somers Isles Jazz Band. 
• Somerset Brigade Band (telephone 234 0015). Founded 1930, still going strong.
• The Travellers 
• The Warren Experience
• Talbot Brothers.
• Ultra-Sonics
• Warwick Gombeys

First Salvation Army Young People's Band, mid 1930s

Bermuda African Dance Company 

Bermuda Ballet Association (BBA)

Non-profit. Dedicated to raising the standard of excellence in dance through world-class training. Bermuda's oldest dance organization.  It was formed in 1962 by Madame Patricia Gray, MBE with the support of Madame Ana Roje, and since that time hundreds, if not thousands, of students have reaped the benefit of their vision, and the Association's unwavering dedication to dance. Amalgamated in 2005 with the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda (NDFB).

Bermuda Chamber Choir

Brings the choral arts to life in our community. Through performances of great composers such as Bach, Handel, Mozart, Brahms and many more the ensemble strives for a high standard of communicating the masterworks of choral orchestral repertory. It meets weekly at the Bermuda School of Music. New members are welcome, contact Artistic Director Ryan Ellis at 296-5100 Ext. 230. In 2011 the choir featured the choral music of British composer William Lloyd Webber. He was the father of the celebrated Andrew Lloyd Webber, and his brother, the cellist Julian, and composed a wide variety of very beautiful works.

Bermuda Civic Ballet

Formed 1972. Founded by Patricia Deane-Gray to foster interest in ballet and to provide a medium through which all persons so interested may participate by dancing or otherwise in the production of shows. Members have mounted a series of ambitious and well-received performances. 

Bermuda Civic Ballet 2007

Bermuda Federation of Musicians and Variety Artists

Voice Mail: (441) 291-0138. The trade group in Bermuda to which all those shown above belong. All enquiries about individual musicians should be referred to this group.

Bermuda Festival 

Seasonal, annually, January and February. 

Bermuda Festival Chamber Orchestra (BFCO)

Local legends then and now include Larritta Adderley; Jon Armstrong; Toni Bari; Clarence (Tootsie) Bean; Gary Bean; Graham Bean and the Latinaires;  Moira Bean; Harry Bean; JudyAnn Bean; Sydney Bean; Sydney Bean (died March 2000); Joe Conchshell Benjamin (who left Bermuda to live in the United Kingdom); Rob Berry; Gita Blakeney; Carl Borde (who spent many years in Bermuda with the Esso Steel Band and died in Massachusetts in 2002); Kieran Bradshaw; Tony Brannon; Duane Bulford; Tina Burgess; Dr. Gary Burgess; Ghandi Burgess; Brian Butterfield; Sandy Butterfield; Violetta Carmichael; Bishop Caines; Bill Caisey; multi-percussionist Keith Caisey and his Brazilian wife Clara; Bishop Caines; Earlston (Duke) Callabras; the late Violetta Carmichael; Victor Chambray; Mia Page Chambray; the late Michael Clarke; Country Steppers; Rudolph Commissiong, Sr; Glen Cuoco; Earl Darrell; Marcus Dagan; Wayne Davis; Kerri-Lynne Dietz, Mezzo soprano; Andrew Dobson; Steve Dupres; Suzanne Dunkerley; the late Winston DeGraff (he died in 2003 at the age of only 41); soprano Vivian Deyone Douglas; Hiram Edwards; Dennis Eldridge; late Mrs. Maude Fox (died 1983 at the age of 89, the only female musician in a 13-piece band); Robert 'Duke' Joell; Gaynor Gallant; Al Harris; Agatha Catherine Henderson (taught classical piano for 60 years and whose students include many others named here);  Rhona James; Robert Edwards; Robert (Sai) Emery; Kenneth Sonny Flood; Danny Fox; Dennis Fox; Jay Fox; the late Wilbur Furbert;  Al and Celeste Harris; Kenneth 'Joe' Hayward; Kent Hayward - French Horn, pianist the late Lance Hayward and his quartet; Robert Hayward; Wendell (Shine) Hayward; the late Kenny Iris; Kingsley Swan Band; Robert (Duke) Joell; Robert Lambe; Randy Lambert; Ronald and Dennis Laws; the late Alan Lottimore (died in June 2002); Bandmaster Major Leslie Lowe; Michael King; Cromwell Manders; Aidan McNally; Roddy Marshall; Melvin Martin; Kevin Maybury; Paul Matthews; Stephanie Matthews; Reuben McCoy; Michael McDonough; Glenn Mello; Patrick McDonald (Mac) Mills; Speedy Ming; Gary "Lazy Boy" Morris; Dennis Moniz;  Andy Newmark; Heather Nova; Jimmy O'Connor; Gene Perry; Erskine Phillips;  Alan Pitman;  Ryan Prevost; Peter Profit; Tom Ray (jazz  pianist); Howard Rego; Dr. Karol Sue Reddington; Joseph Richards (music teacher); Louise Risby; Celeste Roberts; Vince Roberts; Celeste Spencer Robinson; Milton Robinson; Carl Rodney; Gonsalo Rubalcaba; Frankie Rubain; David Sanchez; Keith Seymour; Stan (Lord Necktie) Seymour (see photo and story below);  James Seymour; Busta Simmons; Derek Simmons; Cal Simons; the late Hubert Smith (see story below); his son George Smith; Kenneth Smith; Maxwell Smith; Gene (Eugene) Steede; Pinky (Frances) Steede (both were discovered by Don Gibson in 1959, when Gene delivered mail  in Pembroke Parish); Robin Spencer-Arscott; Giles (Dudley) Spurling ('Bermudian Gal'); Robert Symonds; Robert Symons; Kingsley Swan; Archie Talbot; Austin Talbot; "Blackie" Talbot; Roy Talbot; dancer Ricky Tatem; Judy Tavares (she is a singer and wrote the song "Bermuda, Beautiful Bermuda"); Terry-Lynn Thompson; Val Wallace; Val Wallace; John White; Pam White; Wanda Ray Willis; Eric Witter; Cal Wilkinson; Ginea Wolf; Mandy Wong; John Woolridge; Wence Woolridge; Joe Wylie; Erskine Zuill. 

Their music is available on old cassettes, LPs or newer CDs.

Some groups are Gombey dancers, gospel singers, drum majorette bands, live jazz ensembles, modern reggae bands and more. 

Graham and Moira Bean. Mr. Bean, before becoming popular in the original Coral Islanders and the Jack Hammer Quintette, studied music with Les Paul. Mrs. Bean started her career working with the Bethel AME Quartet, singing every Sunday morning on the radio, before working with Mr. Bean on her debut album, 'Moria.' 

Sydney Bean, who died in March 2000 at the age of 92, was the "Daddy of Calypso in Bermuda", a prolific songwriter and probably Bermuda's most recognized entertainer and musician. He received his musical training in church. He taught himself guitar and bass and sang with the Mark Williams Band. Always dressed in colorful outfits and rarely photographed without an instrument in his arms, he was a pioneer in creating a distinct Bermudian calypso sound and the first Bermudian to regularly play abroad. Mr. Bean wrote hundreds of songs, including Bermuda's Still Paradise, Where Did You Stay Last Night Caroline?, and Spend Your Money on Me, which was co-authored by Ted Ming of the Bermuda Strollers. He played in hotels across the island and was the entertainer for Bermuda Island Cruises before becoming its cruise director -- a position he held until the early 1990's. He was still working on the boats when he was in his eighties. He was known as the first local entertainer who could do impersonations of jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong. He was older than Hubert Smith or the Talbot Brothers. Mr. Bean, was married three times, lived for many years in Greene's Guest House in Middle Road Southampton until he moved to a nearby rest home.

"Ghandi" Pendlebury Burgess. Died September 2009 at the age of 84. Trumpeter. First Bermudian to be musical director of an American cruise ship, according to a book written about him by former Minister of Culture Dale Butler. He was also offered record deals with Columbia Records, Decca and Blue note, though he turned them down. The book 'My Blue Heaven' states he studied at the New York School of Music and played with jazz greats such as Dexter Gordon and Lionel Hampton, as well as backing the Temptations and Frankie Avalon. Locally he was musical director at the Forty Thieves Night Club and Southampton Princess Hotel. Twice ran for the Progressive Labour Party, also received the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour as well as the international Performing Arts Humanitarian Award. Jazz bible 'Downbeat' magazine named him in the 'outstanding jazz trumpet" section.

Brian and Sandy Butterfield. Mr. Butterfield made a name for himself in the shows "Boat in a Bottle," and "Gombey," becoming the drum major for the North Shore Majorettes. After their marriage in 1963, Mrs. Butterfield joined the show "Bermuda is Another World" with Mr. Butterfield as a dancer and the Islands first female steel pan player.

Alfred Harris, Big Al, was a Bermuda music legend, a phenomenal pianist and made a significant contribution to the development of live music in Bermuda. By 1945, Big Al formed his own 12-piece orchestra and later his Calypso Band. In addition to being an accomplished pianist, he also coached many aspiring vocalists such as Pam White and Violetta Carmichael.

Lance Hayward. Born in Spanish Point, Pembroke, in 1916 he was blind but as a pianist he and his quartet created their own unique claim to fame in Bermuda and the USA. At 13, he was sent to the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts. It was here, his son Stuart Hayward says, that the musician refined his craft. When he returned to the island after three years abroad, he began a career in music that would last almost 60 years. It began modestly enough in local churches, but soon Hayward was a fixture in the island's nightclub circuit and was the accompanist of choice for artists like Carmen McRae and Marvin Gaye when they performed in Bermuda. Then, in the Golden Age of Bermudian tourism, he arranged and directed the Hayward & Hayward Ensemble, a mixed-voice chorus that toured the island's packed hotels. In the '50s and '60s it was hard for musicians when the hotels closed in the winter, soHayward took his act to Jamaica where he found employment at a hotel on the island's north-west coast. The membership of his quartet changed over the years, but it then included the likes of Milton Robinson, Frankie Roban, Ernest Ranglin, Clarence (Tootsie) Bean and Max Smith. In 1963 he moved to New York City where a long career in the city's jazz clubs awaited him. He got his start at clubs like West Boondock and Jacques-in-the-Village until he moved to the Village Corner, where he appeared regularly for 16 years. While in Manhattan he formed the Lance Hayward Singers which continue to perform his choral arrangements. Though Hayward spent the rest of his life in the United States, he never lost touch with his island roots. His son says: "He would come back to Bermuda every year for Cup Match and Christmas or else my mother would go to visit him. That allowed them to spend time together and apart, which I think was good for their relationship. When he would come here he would play in the Bermuda Festival. I think he was one of the first Bermudians to have a spot in it." He died in November 1991, after a long fight with cancer. His obituary was published in The New York Times.

Celeste Spencer Robinson, Bermuda's Queen of Calypso, reluctantly entered the calypso scene when Lancelot and Robert Hayward heard her unique raspy voice and wrote her into their stage show at the Opera House. Her popularity was at its peak when she sang with Kingsley Swan's band at Angel's Grotto and then later at Harmony Hall with Al Harris. In 1958 she toured the military bases in the US with Preston's Love Band and two years later to every American state with Dinah Washington, her highlight was a weeklong appearance at the famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York.

Milton Robinson. One of the Island's greatest jazz musicians, acclaimed as the "father of every musician here" died in May 2010 at the age of 77 after collapsing at the Bermuda School of Music. He was trained in classical guitar and up to his last days was still improving his skills in cello and composing new songs. He leaves behind a wife of 52 years Renee, and three children Dawn, 50, Michelle, 48, and Dean, 42; as well as grandchildren Bradley Mitchell, Joshua Wood and Isaiah Sousa. Mr. Robinson was the only child of Bermudian Fred (String) Robinson and Canadian Eileen Gibson. He was brought up around music and taught himself to play guitar while in high school in Montreal. He never put the guitar down and after studying for some time in Canada, returned to the Island to perform with the Lance Hayward quartet, performing at hotels around Bermuda and Jamaica. He played the flute, the steel pans, the trombone, electric base, the classical guitar and more.

Milton Robinson

George Smith, died October 17, 2008 at the age of 67. A well-known entertainer who sang with his father, the late calypsonian Hubert Smith, in the Coral Islanders band. He also had his own group, Xanadu, and played the maracas, congo drums and guitar besides singing. He had four children, Stacey, Sonya, Scott and Sean Smith, 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild. In addition to being an entertainer, he also worked as a self-employed painter and enjoyed deep sea fishing. A Justice of the Peace and former president of the Diabetes Association, Mr. Smith suffered a stroke in 1999. His death was due to a combination of diabetes, stroke and kidney failure. As well as playing local hotels and guest houses, Mr. Smith had also entertained Princess Margaret and Prince Charles during royal visits to Bermuda and travelled with his music overseas. He was given Government awards for his contribution to tourism and in the 1970s was also handed a bravery award for saving a child's life.

George Smith

Hubert Smith, who died on December 3, 2001 at the age of 83 after a massive heart attack started to play around with the ukulele when 6 years old; at nine he began writing jingles about his friends; by 13, he was singing to tourists on Front Street; at 15 he was spotted by Mark Williams 'grandfather of local jazz' while performing at the Opera House. He was asked to compose a song initially entitled 'Bermuda is Different World' in 1969 for a briefing tour. On his year-round ritual morning swim at Spanish Point, he composed the entire song - lyrics and music composition - but made the change from 'different' to 'another' to create his signature piece and the island's unofficial national anthem. He became a legend in the local music scene, spent 70 years in the business, was a major influence in shaping the traditional sound of Bermudian music, such as calypso and jazz. But his dedication to the local music scene went far beyond his singing and song writing talents. His son George spent about thirty years with him working with his band The Coral Islanders. He traveled extensively for the Department of Tourism spreading the culture of Bermuda to the US, England and Canada. He was a true ambassador for Bermuda.

Hubert Smith

Kenneth 'Sonny' Flood, Kenneth 'Joe' Hayward, Robert 'Duke' Joell and Cecil Emery started playing together in the 1940s. The Four Deuces were renowned for their aptitude for rhythm. The ukulele and an upbeat tempo that made you move your feet created their distinct sound. Besides calypso, they also performed rumba, samba and the waltz.

Stan Seymour, Lord Necktie. Calypsonian, one of a long line of superb local entertainers whose names became household words, among them his friends and mentors, the Talbot Brothers. He once sang with Hubert Smith and the Coral Islanders. Like his grandfather, James Seymour, before him, `Lord Necktie' not only sings, but is also a one-man band who plays harmonica, guitar and drums. Some of his songs have become legends, including `Diddly Bops and Gooseneck Handlebars', which The Merrymen of Barbados also recorded.  He sang for Lord Mountbatten just before he died, and for Princess Margaret he composed and sang a calypso "Streakin' Rosie."  Thrice-crowned `King of Calypso' in competitions, he is also an author and artist. He published `Bermuda Folklore and Calypso Poems', and together with his wife and fellow artist Margaret recently painted the mural of Horseshoe Bay on a pre-admissions ward at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Stan Seymour

Erskine Zuill taught himself to play the ukulele, causing passing tourists to stop along the roadside to listen to him. He was Bermuda's first entertainer on board the cruise boat Pricilla and was renowned for singing for two hours straight and never repeating a song. Throughout his time as a musician, he contributed songs to many local records and released a solo album, 'Calypso at the Carlton Beach' with local producer Eddie DeMello.

Bermuda postage stamps issue to honor Bermudian musicians

For any performers not shown above, consult the:

Bermuda Federation of Musicians and Variety Artists (BVMBA)

Should be consulted for any details of local musicians past or present. 

Bermuda Folk Club

Website folkclub.bm. 

Bermuda Guitar Academy

Bermuda International Languages and Arts Institute

Phone 296-5676, fax 296-5678. Dr. Karol Sue Reddington, Music Division Coordinator. Designed for accelerated and intense study of languages and music, designated  to sponsor the John's Hopkins University Program for talented students in all areas. One of  four such institutions in the entire world - also sponsored in Bermuda by corporate foundations, private trusts and Bermuda Government.

Bermuda Islands Pipe Band

Partly in honor of The Bermuda Islands Pipe Band and also because of the many Scots and Irish who are resident in Bermuda and Bermudians with Scots and Irish forebears, there are many recordings available in Bermuda of Scots and Irish bagpipe bands and bagpipers, both civilian and military. In the 18th and 19th centuries, an Irish unit of the British Army was here. Scottish regiments were several times in the British Army garrison here until 1953. A Canadian Scottish regiment was based in Bermuda for a while during World War 2. Their bagpipes and drums accompanied the soldiers on Church Parades from Prospect Garrison in Devonshire to the city of Hamilton, waterfront on Pitts Bay Road and back. The idea became a Bermuda civilian tradition.  

Once there were two bagpipe bands here. One was the Bermuda Police Pipe Band which began in 1959.  It proudly wore the Prince Charles Edward Stuart ("Bonnie Prince Charlie") tartan. Composed at first largely of members of the Bermuda Police and Prison Services, and other local enthusiasts, including some formerly in the Cadets Pipe Band, they were soon performing at the Police Passing Out and ceremonial parades, a tradition maintained by the BIPB to this day. 

There was also the older Bermuda Cadets Pipe Band, so-called because it originated in 1955 as "A" Company of the Bermuda Cadet Corps when Captain Henry Hallett was the Company Commander. (Paddy Coyle of the Gordon Highlanders, whose idea it was to start the Bermuda Cadets Pipe Band, was in the detachment of the  Highland Brigade stationed in Bermuda at the time. In his honor, the band wore the Gordon tartan). Bagpipe celebrities or those who contributed mightily since then include Denis Stuart; Captain Arthur G. Card, Commandant of the Bermuda Cadet Corps; Lillian Hallett; Mary Card Gibbons and Joan Tite. On the disbanding of the Corps in the early 1960's, the Band continued as a body of civilian volunteers under the name of the Bermuda Cadets Pipe Band. Wearing the Regimental Gordon tartan, the Band's first public performance was in the Remembrance Day Parade in 1956 when they began a tradition of leading the war veterans on and off parade.

Both were disbanded in 1992 when the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band was established. The Bermuda Islands Pipe Band is a spectacular sight on ceremonial occasions, often included in Beating Retreat, musical displays and other events. Individual bagpipers go to hotels and weddings. The 17-member contingent still wear the Gordon Highlanders tartan kilt with a white jacket. Experiences include playing at local and international tattoos

Another still active tradition of the BIPB began in 1963 with the weekly performance by the Cadets Pipe Band of the "Skirling Ceremony" at Fort Hamilton. Yet another long-established relationship began in 1965 with both predecessor Bands and now the BIPB appearing with the Band and Corp of Drums of the Bermuda Regiment in the Beating Retreat in Hamilton, St. George's and the Royal Naval Dockyard.

The BIPB has an equally strong tradition of representing and promoting Bermuda internationally having performed overseas on 18 occasions in the United States, Canada, Scotland and Germany. In 2003, the Band proudly promoted Bermuda at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo. The Band, bearing the Bermuda standard before it, has twice appeared in New York City leading other pipe bands. The Band's more recent international performance came in January, 2005, at the Musikschau der Nationen in Bremen, Germany, Norfolk VA, Birmingham UK and Hamburg, Germany.

See under "Bermuda Islands Pipe Band" in Bermuda Books.

Bermuda Music & Dramatic Society (BMDS)

Daylesford, Park Street, Hamilton. Telephone 295-5584. An active local group offering a menu of plays and productions, usually at its own small theatre. There is also an annual Christmas pantomime.

Bermuda National Youth Jazz Ensemble (BNYJE)

A 12--strong group of young jazz musicians.  It had a very successful opening concert on June 16, 2001.

Bermuda Philharmonic Society

Private sector part-time orchestra and choir. Registered charity 323. Has rebounded after a number of difficulties forced the 40-year-old organisation to take an eight-month hiatus. The Society disbanded in February 2006, telling members that its executive committee had voluntarily resigned and that "it was not possible to elect another group of people to carry on the work for a variety of reasons." Problems cited included a lack of volunteers and more. However, it has rebounded in October 2006 and now has Gwyneth Rawlins as president. Orchestra members and new players turned out and formed a new executive. The group decided to secure a guest conductor for the immediate future and plans to hold its first concert in 2007 under the direction of Major Kenneth Dill.  There are now Monday chorus meetings in the Cathedral Hall  and Thursday orchestra meetings. The chorus generally consists of between 40 and 60 members while the orchestra has about 30. During business hours, anyone interested in joining the orchestra or the chorus may contact Ms Rawlins on 298-0893, Ms Poe on 293-5980 or Jane Lee on 205-1422.

Bermuda School of Music

 Phone 296-5100. With 1000 students and approximately 25 faculty teaching strings to percussion, voice, brass, woodwind, guitar and piano. Incorporates the former Bermuda Conservatory of Music. Also mounts several public annual events.

Bermuda School of Music Steel Orchestra

Established in July 2008 and aims to introduce, and provide continuity for students who wish to play the steel pan. The orchestra, whose members range from primary students to adults, has performed at a variety of community events. Students from nine different public and private schools meet after school on Wednesdays and Fridays to learn to play the iconic Caribbean instrument, which originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s. The steel pan has a long history of association with Bermuda, having arrived here within a decade of its invention. The pans unique sound was originally the result of carefully shaping and stressing sections of the base of standard 55-gallon oil drums, and though now methods of production have been refined, the design and tuning of each instrument are done by hand. For more information about the Steel Orchestra, contact the Bermuda School of Music 296-5100. Look out for the Steel Orchestra’s first CD in 2011.

Bermuda School of Russian Ballet 

P. O. Box HM 661, telephone 293-4147 or 295-8621 or fax 293-8789 or e-mail cwaddell@northrock.bm. Studio at 292-2192.

Bermuda songs include

Bermuda's National anthem is "God Save the Queen." There are not many Bermuda songs written locally, the following are noteworthy:

• Bermuda. Recorded 1951-52 by the Bell Sisters of the USA. Sold a million copies in 1952 and was #7 in the USA hit parade. The Bell Sisters were Cynthia and Kay Strother, who recorded on RCA 1951-58. In the 1996 Gramercy film "Grace of My Heart" their song "Bermuda" pops into the musical foreground during one of the scenes from the movie. Cynthia Strother wrote the song when she was 15, after seeing a picture in a brochure. She told her nephew Rex, who ran a website honoring the Bell Sisters, that Bermuda seemed "distant and romantic." The song was also on a British CD by Peggy Lee as "Bermudian Waters."
• Bermuda Blue. Not sure of the composer, but it was first sung at KVOO radio station in Tulsa, Oklahoma, performed by American composer Ralph Blane. (One of his best known compositions was "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and other songs of the movie "Meet Me In St. Louis").
• Bermuda is Another World. Composed and performed in Bermuda by the late Bermudian Hubert Smith of Bermuda (he died on December 3, 2001). 
• Bermudian Gal, composed and sung by Giles (Dudley) Spurling.
• In Bermuda. Composed and performed in Bermuda by the Bermudian Duane DeMello, available on the CD "Duane D in Bermuda and other Bermudaful memories."
• Happiness. Composed and performed in Bermuda by the Bermudian Duane DeMello, available on the CD "Duane D in Bermuda and other Bermudaful memories."
• Mind & Body. Composed and performed in Bermuda by the Bermudian Duane DeMello, available on the CD "Duane D in Bermuda and other Bermudaful memories."
• Step Through a Moongate. By American composer Ralph Blane, as above. A local recording of this, on an LP album, was done as well, sung  by Gene (Eugene) Steede and Pinky (Frances) Steede, under the musical direction of James Gregory. He was a collaborator with Ralph Blane on many songs.
• This is Bermuda. 

Three songs — 'I Need All The Sunshine', 'All My Dreams Are Gathered Safely In', and 'Child of the Ocean' - all by Marcus Dagan - reflect his connections with, and deep love of, Bermuda.

Virtually all other songs heard or played in Bermuda - like Yellow Bird - while nice, are not Bermuda songs at all. Beautiful Bermuda by the Merrymen of Barbados is actually Beautiful Barbados by the same group. Bermuda Farewell is actually Jamaica Farewell with Bermuda substituted for Jamaica. Bermuda Woman by the Merrymen of Barbados is actually Barbados Woman by the same group. Most of the calypsos played in Bermuda by local musicians are not Bermudian or written in Bermuda. Always contact the authors directly for more information on songs.

For all songs about Bermuda, if authors or agents both in Bermuda and abroad will reciprocate the free courtesy website link, a free courtesy active link will be established to their website or song or both.

Calypso & steel pan music

In March 2008 the Bermuda Government issued a set of stamps in honor of some of the most famous local calypso singers and troubadours (see graphic).

Calypso originated in Trinidad & Tobago in the 19th century, as rhythms brought there by African slaves. At the time, the rule was that slaves were not permitted to talk while working, but were allowed to sing. Their songs were a mixture of their tribal languages and Spanish, English and French that their colonizers insisted they learn. When colonial domination of their region ended, they continued their custom of singing, but added new elements to their traditional songs or mixtures of songs. They argued, discussed, lampooned, got political, became sexually explicit and injected a lot of macho rubbish into their songs as well (like "When women say no they mean yes"). In Europe, Nina and Frederick, from Holland and Denmark respectively (Frederick had studied at an agricultural college in Trinidad), introduced a sanitized version of calypso to their fans. In the USA, Canada and Bermuda, Harry Belafonte did so, followed by Norman Luboff (whose version of "Yellow Bird" became the standard by which all other versions are copied). 

Like Nina and Frederick and Belafonte, Luboff accentuated the more exotic and less ribald or licentious side of calypso for mass consumption. His idea was to make it authentic again, as the choral music it once was. What these pioneers in American-composed, Americanized and Europeanized versions of calypso came up with had a mass appeal to the audiences of their day. Their music was gorgeous. It is the kind of music many visitors still hope for when they visit Bermuda and Caribbean destinations further south, instead of the modern rubbish - not calypso or steel pan music - they too often find today.

Bermudian musicians copied liberally from the mass appeal calypso music of Nina and Frederick, Belafonte and Luboff. Not known at all is other beautiful original music - also superb - of more Caribbean islands, like ballads unique to their lands sung in patois or English from Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent, Montserrat, Saba, Aruba, etc. Such music of before and during the 1950s and 1960s is no longer in vogue. Sadly, only reggae, from Jamaica - and now soca - seem to be popular among the youth of Bermuda.  Bermuda has virtually no equivalent at all to Caribbean music, yet it does not lack in poets who could write good, unique local words, which good local musicians could put to music if they were given some incentives to write music truly from Bermuda in every way.

Frequently, Bermuda was visited by great calypsonians and steel band greats like Byron Lee & The Dragonaires from Jamaica (their 1970's and 1980's recordings of calypsos and the much more tuneful reggae then than now were superb), The Mighty Sparrow from Trinidad & Tobago, The Merrymen from Barbados. Steel bands were imported to Bermuda, stayed, became Bermudianized and are still here.

Steel pan music is more recent than calypso. It also began in Trinidad and Tobago in the late 1930s, long after slavery ended. It too was seen as reactionary, from young rebels of society. When the Bishop of San Fernando in south Trinidad recognized its worth and praised it as positive not negative, people noticed. Then the Esso Steel Band came along, among the pioneers. They moved to Bermuda in the 1950s but played worldwide as well. Carl Borde was their leader. Rolf Commissiong Sr was another prominent member. They thrilled audiences with their steel pan calypso music and selected classical pieces beautifully arranged for steel pan. It blended exquisitely the culture of the Caribbean, Africa and Europe. In the 1960s, a Trinidadian convent pioneered yet another form of calypso and steel pan music, with a choir that sang in a hauntingly melodic way a selection of Negro Spirituals and local spiritual melodies to a lilting steel pan accompaniment.

Choir singing

The custom traces back to England. 

A lay member of the church acts in a volunteer post as choir master or choir mistress. 

Mr. David Nisbett recently celebrated 51 years as choirmaster, longer than anyone else in Bermuda. 

The Roman Catholic Diocesan Choir is outstanding. The Bermuda Philharmonic Choir and Post Office Choir are two examples of non-church choirs. 

There are several seasonal choirs and a number of school choirs.

Classical music

Leading local artistes include Dr. Gary Burgess - once an opera singer overseas and more recently a Bermuda Government official and conductor of the part-time Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra; opera singer Marcelle Clamens who used to spend much of her time abroad but has returned to Bermuda; concert pianist (and gardener) Peter Carpenter; Joyce Mary Helen DeShield; Suzanne Dunkerley; mezzo-soprano Jane Farge; and teacher of music  at Whitney Institute Middle School (and gardener) Lloyd Matthew.

Organizations involved in classical music include the Bermuda Philharmonic Society; Kindermusik with Suzanne and Menuhin Foundation of Bermuda. (The late Lord Menuhin visited Bermuda to set up this organization himself). 

Also hear the Mozart Players Trust; Bermuda Middle Schools Orchestra; Mandy Wong, a Bermudian artist, a student at New England Conservatory of Music, but available for classical concerts; and Dr. Karol Sue Reddington, pianist.

Dance & dancing classes

Individual Bermudians who have distinguished themselves in this genre include Sophia Cannonier, Barbara Frith, Patricia Gray, Suzette Harvey, Louise Jackson, Conchita Ming, Nikia Manders, Liz Pimental, the late Robert Simmons and Ray Tanver.

Donald Byrd/The Group

Modern dance.

Gombeys

Dancers similar to those in Africa and certain parts of the Caribbean, from black families. They dance at certain times of the year and on special days. They appeared in the 2003 Edinburgh Tattoo. The word Gombey comes from the African Bantu language and means both rhythm and drum. Noteworthy  and quoteworthy are the books "The Bermuda Gombey; Bermuda's Unique Dance Heritage" by Louise A. Jackson and "Bermuda: Traditions and Tastes" by Judith Watson. The Gombeys are unlike any other folkloric dance in the region. Bermuda Gombeys have always been completely covered so that you are unable to identify the persons involved. They are a serious and disciplined art form, not something that parents just simply send their children to. It's not ballet, the involvement of the entire family in the whole ritual is extremely important to the preservation of the culture. Most captains of troupes monitor very closely the performance of their students in relationship to their school work, for example, and if they are not doing well in school they may not get to dance. It's a totally integrated social enterprise, a way of life. Bermuda's only female Gombey troupe are Alisa Kani Girl Gombeys, a collective of fifteen women whose families are traditionally involved in the male-dominated performing art.

Jazz Clubs

There are several. Bermudian James Richardson is a professional jazz pianist.

Kindermusik with Suzanne

Only one of its type in Bermuda. Suzanne Dunkerley, also a member of the Menuhin Foundation, has been teaching Kindermusik to young children since 1995. Every year since 2002 Suzanne's program has been independently rated in the top 5% world wide.

Marriage Music 

See our Marriages in Bermuda.

Menuhin Foundation

P. O. Box HM 1179. Hamilton HM EX. John Campbell, Chairman. Bermuda Registered charity # 118. Founded after Lord Menuhin first visited. Qualified musicians are teachers. 

Middle School String Orchestra

With students from 10 to 13 years old from five middle schools, Clearwater, Dellwood, Spice Valley, Whitney Institute and Sandys Secondary Middle School. They are taught by Menuhin Foundation teachers.

Mohawk Radio

Formed in 2008 as a new musical group with a rock-n-roll vibe and strong Bermudian roots. Has a repertoire of original songs and classic cover tunes. Mia Page Chambray is the band's lead vocalist. Others are Kieran Bradshaw (guitar), Ryan Prevost (guitar), Jon Armstrong (organ/keys), Melvin Martin (drums) and David Doar, sound engineer.

Mosaic Too

Music educators include

• Kindermusik with Suzanne, referred to earlier.
• Joseph Richards
• Mark Williams

Musical Entertainment

A weekly list of where and when appears in the print edition of The Royal Gazette daily newspaper.

National Dance Foundation of Bermuda (NDFB)

West Hall 250, Bermuda College, South Road, Paget, telephone (441) 239-4091. Amalgamated in 2005 with the Bermuda Ballet Association (BBA). Founded in 1980 and a registered charity, Dedicated to the development of exceptional local dancers and choreographers. 

National Dance Theatre of Bermuda (NDTB)

Established in 1980, it existed until 2003. It was born out of the Bermuda Dance Theatre founded in 1977 by Louise Jackson, Barbara Frith and Conchita Ming. It offered development and performance opportunities for Bermuda's dance community by providing access to training opportunities with world-class teachers, performers and choreographers, professional level productions and the opportunity to earn international scholarships. NDTB gave performances where the work of local choreographers was featured along with choreographers from abroad. The company performed in the U.S. Quincentennial Celebrations in New York in July 1992 and at Carifesta in Trinidad in August 1992. In 1994 the company performed for Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh, on their visit to Bermuda. In January 1995 the NDTB was the opening performance at the Gala Showcase of the IABD Dance Conference in Philadelphia, USA, a second invitation to perform at this event. NDTB performed at The Bermuda Festival in 1979, 1993 and 1996. In September 2001 NDTB, at the invitation of the Department of Tourism opened the 46th Annual Society of Travel Writers Convention here in Bermuda.

NDTB performed ballet classics like Swan Lake Act II and Pas de Quatre and the Nutcracker. The majority of NDTB’s repertoire were original works by Bermudian choreographers. Eight had Bermudian themes such as, Earth Tones ( a tribute to the Bermuda Gombeys); A woman named Prince ( about the slave Mary Prince); Church Cave and more. Seven were performed in August 2000 for NDTB’s 20th Anniversary.

Somerset School of Dancing

Studios in Hamilton, Somerset and St. George's.

Sweet Girls Dance Team

Talent Explosion

Since 2003. Registered charity. 

125+ files on other aspects of Bermuda