Brass Band members to be badged
Eighteen sailors who have successfully completed their three months training will be badged to officially become The Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Navy Brass Band members
They will be badged at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks by the RFMF Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto.
A release by the RFMF Media Cell said that the idea to form the band was initiated on July 25, 2018, by Rear Admiral Naupoto. RFMF Music Director Major Meli Bulitiliva said one of the main reasons why Rear Admiral Naupoto initiated the move was to cushion the impact of the military engagements that the RFMF Band was undertaking both locally and abroad.
He said the idea was an excellent one because the RFMF Band at times had to cancel many invitations due to their busy and tight schedules.
The Commander RFMF has also directed that some senior RFMF band members would be part of the new RFMF Naval Brass Band to assist in maintaining the standards of the RFMF.
RFMF Navy Commander Captain (Navy) Humphrey Tawake said 18 sailors went for training with the RFMF Brass Band under the RFMF Music Director Major Meli Bulitiliva. The RFMF Navy Brass Band, according to Capt (Navy) Tawake, would be based at Togalevu. Captain (Navy) Tawake said their own band would be used in all functions they would be engaged in. He said the band would also be participating in national functions and events they were invited to. The band, he said, would also be a source of income to them