Freeport, Bahamas – The visiting Cochrane High School Band out of Alberta, Canada, was music to the ears of patrons gathered in the Port Lucaya Marketplace (PLM) on Monday afternoon.
The 50 musicians thrilled their audience with renditions of popular hits of the 70’s like ‘Gatta Be There’, ‘Heard it through the Grapevine’, ‘Isn’t she Lovely’, signature pieces from ‘Grease’ and other show tunes.
Welcoming the group, who traveled to Grand Bahama onboard the Carnival Sensation, was PLM’s Entertainment & Marketing Coordinator, Karen Ferguson-Bain. “The band’s visit was not only entertaining for patrons visiting the Port Lucaya Marketplace, but it was a wonderful revenue opportunity for our vendors. The band members were here as visitors but they also gave back because they all had lunch here,” she commented.
Accompanying the group was Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (MOTA) representative, Carmeta Miller, Sr. Manager with responsibility for Religious Tourism. MOTA was responsible for coordinating the group’s visit in conjunction with Marlin Travel Agency in Canada.
“They’ve been overwhelmed by the love shown to them and they’re all saying they will come again,” Miller expressed. “Tourism is about numbers and the care given to our visitors. As cruise passengers their arrival will help boost our numbers and we in return have been able to extend hospitality to them.”
Ferguson-Bain concurred with these comments. “This serves as a wonderful opportunity for persons who live in the Canadian district to find out about Grand Bahama and things they can do once they’re here. This band can now pass on their experience to other schools and even family members who may want to come down to Grand Bahama on vacation,” she said.
Accompanied by 8 chaperones, the Cochrane High School Band performed at St. Georges High School prior to their performance in Port Lucaya. There was a cultural exchange at the school as the St. Georges High School Band also showed off their talents to the visiting group.
