WANTED. A director of music for Bermuda International Airport.

No, we're not making it up.

Readers of the Government notices in yesterday's Royal Gazette might understandably have raised an eyebrow as they contemplated the position advertised.

Why would an airport need a director of music?

Are there plans to bring the London Philharmonic to play in the arrivals hall?

Or maybe travellers waiting by the baggage carousel are to be jolted from their weariness by a 12-piece salsa band.

The official notice in yesterday's Gazette read: "The Government of Bermuda, Department of Airport Operations (DAO) is seeking a Director of Music to organise and provide live musical entertainment for arriving passengers at Bermuda International Airport."

It continued: "The successful proponent must have uncompromising operating standards, particularly in the provision of high-quality musical entertainment for each arriving scheduled flight."

The contract is for a three-year term from April 1 this year.

Airport operations manager James Howes was keen that the advertisement should not be misunderstood. "We wouldn't want to get into the musical impresario business - we have enough on our plate with aviation," quipped Mr. Howes yesterday.

He explained that the airport already had a director of music in the shape of Gene Steede, whose band welcomes arriving passengers. The band's contract is to expire soon, and as it is a Government contract, it is being advertised to give others the opportunity to apply.

So effectively, the airport is actually looking for a band and the director of music will be the band leader or organiser.

"We think music is one of the features that makes our airport unique," said Mr. Howes.

"The sound of Gene Steede's group playing their songs is literally the first impression of Bermuda that arriving passengers get. So we think it is important to have music with an island theme.

"The group has been playing at the airport for several years and they have been successful in creating a nice ambience."

Mr. Howes said he could not reveal how much Gene Steede's band were paid for their airport work and added that the value of the new contract being advertised would be negotiable.