THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO DEFENCE FORCE STEEL ORCHESTRATHE ONLY MARCHING MILITARY STEEL ORCHESTRA OF THE WORLDThe Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra was formed in June 1995, under the guidance of Warrant Officer Class 1 Earl Wright (deceased) and Sergeant Cecil James (retired) on the initiative of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Carl C.A. Alfonso. The first leader of the steel orchestra was Sergeant Cecil James (retired).The first major undertaking was in July of the same year, when the band participated in the National Pan Ramajay Competition, placing fifth out of ten finalists.In 1996 the Orchestra entered the ‘Pan Is Beautiful’ Music Festival as a conventional band and did quite well, winning the prize for the best calypso and placing third overall. The rest of the year was spent doing charity engagements both for service personnel and civilians.The year 1997 started off very successfully for the orchestra, with a first attempt at the National Panorama; competition for traditional steel orchestras, it placed first playing “Mirror Mirror”, a tune composed by calypsonian “Crazy” and arranged by Eddie Qualess, a renowned musical arranger. In June of that year the orchestra was invited by the 33rd Regiment French Forces in the Antilles to perform at their 1st anniversary celebrations in Martinique, this was the first in what has now become an annual event for the orchestra, having returned in 1998, 1999 and 2000.Between the years 1997 and 1999 the band participated in the St. Peter’s Day competition in the Traditional Band category and achieved a hat-trick playing ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ and ‘Blessed Assurance’ respectively, all songs arranged by Robert Tobitt, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra.As a result of the bands”’ outstanding performance they were invited to perform at the internationally acclaimed Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1997. The orchestra became the only marching military steel orchestra in the world, performing nightly for an audience of over ten thousand. The outcome was an outstanding success. The band also became the first steel orchestra to lead an armed contingent of troops on a ceremonial parade, when on it’s return from Scotland it made it’s first appearance on the annual Independence Anniversary Parade. More success came in 1998 when the orchestra having entered the Music Festival for a second time as a conventional band, emerged joint winners.In November 1999 the orchestra was invited to perform at the Anzac Military Tattoo in Sydney Australia, where it rendered another creditable performance. In the year 2000 the orchestra placed first in the Traditional bands category, when it rendered “The Road” Arranged by Robert Tobitt. ‘A Tribute to Aldwin Roberts’ The Lord Kitchener, one of Trinidad and Tobago most outstanding Calypsoians. A sure sign that the orchestra is indeed a force to be reckon with.The Steel Orchestra performed in Antigua in November 2003 at the MOODS OF PAN Festival. This also saw the orchestra being invited again to Antigua to take part in their annual Independence celebrations on 02 November.The orchestra placed 3rd at the Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama competition in February 2004.In June 2004 the orchestra participated at the 33rd Regiment Forces in the Antilles, another great success for the members.In June 2005 the band performed at the World Steel band Music Festival which was held in Madison Square Garden, New York, placing 3rd.In July 2005 the orchestra performed again at the internationally acclaimed Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The outcome was another outstanding success which saw the orchestra being invited to attend again in 2007.In November 2005 the band performed in Malta at the Commonwealth Resounds, where the citizens of Malta gave a standing ovation for every performance of the TTDF Steel Orchestra.The orchestra played in Washington DC at the request of the Delaware National Guard in April 2006. T & T Military Attache to Washington, Lt Col Phillip Spencer, coordinated the visit. Members of the band became honorary citizens of the City of Baltimore.The orchestra placed 3rd at the Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama Steel band competition in February 2006.In June 2006 the orchestra formed part of a national contingent to perform at the World Cup 2006 in Germany. The members played in Nuremburg, Kaiserslautern and Dortmund something that left all Germans spellbound to this day.In October 2006 the orchestra performed at the 25th Independence of Antigua.2007 Performed at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, 2008 Royal Nova Scotia Military Tattoo and Basil International Tattoo in Switzerland.May, 2009 the Orchestra performed in England at the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo at which Her Majesty The Queen was present.At present the management team of the band compromises of Major Roger Best (Officer In Charge), Warrant Officer 2 Robert Tobitt (Manager /Musical Director), Sergeant Junior Stevenson (Senior NCO in charge of Orchestra) and Cpl Frederick Dennie ( Logistic Officer)
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