The Cayman Islands Marching Band (CIMB) is a unique group of musicians who play all genres of music while executing precision manoeuvers that are intertwined with an extraordinary style of marching.

The band was formed in 2008 by the band’s conductor and director, Prof Chip Powell, a music teacher a John Gray High School.

It consists of young people from the ages of 11 to 18 from John Gray, Clifton Hunter, Cayman Prep and Cayman International School.

The band practices hard twice a week in a John Gray classroom, and sometimes make use of the surrounding field and parking lot too.

“We seem to have a ‘growing’ problem, which is a ‘good’ problem, so we may soon have to find another area to house our ever bourgeoning group. At present, we have almost 45 members, but we are welcoming new members each day,” Prof. Powell said.

The band is very inclusive in outlook:

“We have a varied cultural, ethnic and religious make up within the group, and are inclusive of any wind and percussion musician in the Islands, so long as they are able to execute the physical manoeuvers with the music,” Prof. Powell continued.

Recently, the band performed at Cayman’s Got Talent, dressed in red white and blue – the colours of the Cayman flag.

“We take special pride in performing songs of heritage of the Cayman Islands,” Prof. Powell explained.

The National Song, Beloved Isle Cayman, only performed with a unique Caribbean twist, features in the band’s varied repertoire which ranges in genre from pop, country & western, R&B to Jazz. There is also a special Cayman medley, featuring local favourites: That’s Cayman, Munzie’s Boat,  Cayman Land, Long Time G’yal, and local singer/songwriter Andy Martin’s song, Hello, Cayman Brac.

So far the band has performed at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s GimiStory, The National Awards for Arts & Culture, the Pirates’ Week parade, and the Agricultural show.

Most recently, The CIMB scored the highest marks by the judges out of 23 competitors at the Cayman’s Got Talent semi-finals.

Prof. Powell is grateful to all the people who have helped make the band possible, including the Cayman National Cultural Foundation who help to sponsor it. “Very soon, we will be including a support group made of parents up of members,” he added.

Prof Powell believes in the band, and believes that they can be something much more than light entertainment:

“My philosophy of education is to utilise music as a universal language to reach young people, and help them become successful and productive citizens of their home, school, immediate and global community through the discipline and emotional connection of music,” he says.

“I envision this group becoming an institution in the Cayman Islands, to which people can look to represent their community and heritage; an institution which will stand for all time and be a beacon of pride for all Caymanians.”

Anyone interested in joining The CIMB or having any questions may contact Professor Chip Powell at [email protected], or call 916-1629.

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