For the first time since the United States Naval Air Station closed in 1995, a US Fleet Forces Band is returning to the Island to fulfil a variety of engagements, including participation in the Bermuda Day parade.

The 35-member Band was invited here by US Consul General Gregory Slayton following an initial request from Minister of Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler, although it has been Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Wayne Perinchief who has been responsible for much of the follow-through.

The largest of the Navy’s twelve Fleet Bands, directed by Lt. Cdr. Ralph G. Barrett, USN, will arrive in Bermuda on Monday, May 21 and commence live performances on May 22 with visits to CedarBridge Academy and the Berkeley Institute.

That afternoon, smaller ensembles will visit the ‘Westmeath’ and ‘Matilda Smith’ rest homes.

For their final performance of the day, the full complement of musicians will perform in tandem with the Bermuda Regiment Band during the regular Tuesday night ‘Destination Dockyard’ festivities.

On Wednesday, May 23 the Band will first perform at Saltus Grammar School before giving a public concert on the steps of City Hall at noon. In the afternoon the woodwind ensemble will play at an official invitation-only reception at ‘Camden’, hosted jointly by Mr. Slayton and Mr. Perinchief.

On its last full day in Bermuda, the Fleet Forces Band will march in the May 24 parade along Front Street, with a final spectacular performance at 5.15 p.m. at Bernard Park.

“I am deeply honoured to re-introduce the United States Fleet Forces Band to Bermuda after an absence of more than a decade. This joint endeavour is just one more example of the ties that bind our countries together, and I thank both Minister Butler and Minister Perinchief for their strong partnership in making this historic event a reality,” Mr. Slayton said.