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Mrs. Barbara Brandford - Witter
Barbara Witter began her musical journey at the George Headley Primary School in Kingston. She was a part of the Choir and Speech Clubs and at her graduation service she led the graduates in singing their graduation song entitled ‘High Hopes’. Little did she know that this ‘in born’ musical talent would have blossomed over the years to make her into the musician she is today.
This talent was later nurtured at Holy Childhood High School where she was introduced to the Steel Pans and became a member of the first Steel Band group under the direction of Mr. Jonathan Pryce and later the late, Mr. Errol Knibbs. The band participated at many school events and performed at weddings, dinners and other corporate functions.
Barbara became a member of the first Brass Band at Holy Childhood also, where she learnt to play the saxophone under the tutelage of then Staff Sergeant Oscar Robinson who was a member of the Jamaica Regiment Band of the Jamaica Defence Force. She became the lead soloist for the band and she gained popularity from the media and other audiences whenever the band had engagements.
Barbara has not looked back since. She has still pursued her music amidst broken dreams of becoming famous. She was influenced by other international saxophonists such as, Kenny G, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright and Dave Kozz. She was enlisted in the Jamaica Defence Force in 2004, where she became one of the first females to join the Jamaica Military Band.
She holds a Diploma in Primary Education from the Mico University College and also a degree in Primary education from the International University of the Caribbean (IUC).
Having aspirations to excel in music and become a Music Educator, Barbara has started formally to equip herself with the requisite qualification and accreditation in music by completing her Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (London, England), Grade five in both Music Theory and practical, where she currently has obtained a Pass and a Merit. Her ambition is to complete all the grades and pursue further studies in music. She has performed at numerous events such as; weddings, funerals, concerts and graduations around Jamaica she also aspires to become a gospel saxophonists.
She is happily married to Hector Witter and they have three children, Hector is also a musician he was a member of the Jamaica Military Band and he plays the saxophone, flute and clarinet.