92-Year-Old Band Plays On at India's St Vincent's School

When St Vincent's High School won the football championship last December, the victory wasn't just celebrated with cheers. A 92-year-old brass band filled the air with triumphant music, just as it has for nearly a century.

Father M Riklin started St Vincent's Brass Band in 1933 with old instruments from a British military band. The Swiss-born teacher believed learning brass music would teach students discipline, teamwork, and dedication while giving them a unique skill.

Students competed for spots in the band through ear and rhythm tests. They learned to read music and master trumpets, horns, and trombones. The band performed at every major school event and religious procession, becoming a source of immense pride.

But by 1973, the band had faded away. The instruments were forgotten, hidden under stairs and buried in dust for over two decades.

In 1995, a staff member discovered the hidden treasures. The school cleaned and repaired the old brass instruments, and the band returned to life. In 2012, alumni from the class of 1958 bought new instruments to strengthen the revival.

Former students stepped up to help. Michael D'Mello picked up his trumpet after 40 years away from music. Nicholas Pereira, who once played at the Film and Television Institute of India, joined as a trainer. These volunteers kept the tradition flowing to new generations.

Why This Inspires

Today, trainer Kevin Thomas Bhosle faces a new challenge: competing with smartphones and video games for students' attention. Yet every year, curious students still try out for the band. Parents who once played in the band now bring their children to audition.

The band added drums three years ago to modernize the sound while honoring tradition. Only one repair person in Pune can fix the antique instruments, but the music continues. When the band plays at football matches, feast days, and school celebrations, they connect today's students to 92 years of history.

The boys who play those old trumpets and horns aren't just making music. They're proving that even in our digital age, some traditions are worth the effort to preserve.