Carmo Caridade Fernandes, a trumpeter from Castellvaddo, Aldona, Goa, has carried the sound of his trumpet around the world. For 29 years, he served as a member of the police band in Bahrain before retiring and returning to his beloved home in Goa.
Carmo’s passion for music was instilled in him by his father, a skilled musician who mastered several wind instruments. By the age of 12, Carmo found his calling with the trumpet, an instrument that would shape his life. With guidance from his father and inspiration from musicians like Mr. Tavares of Corjuem, Carmo began performing at local events, nurturing his musical talent from a young age.
Despite the financial difficulties that cut his formal education short at Standard IV, Carmo’s early musical earnings—just Rs 13 per performance—were significant enough to ignite his commitment to music.
In 1967, a turning point in Carmo’s life came when his father took him to Bahrain and enrolled him in the police band. Over the following decades, Carmo performed for audiences worldwide, earning recognition and a stable career. The Bahrain police band performed in places like Germany and London, winning competitions and captivating audiences with their music.
While in Bahrain, the band wore traditional Arab attire for performances, combining cultural identity with their musical talent. These years not only polished Carmo’s skills but also earned him recognition far beyond Goa.
A particularly memorable moment in Carmo’s career was meeting the renowned trumpeter Chik-Chok, who attended one of Carmo’s performances. Impressed by his talent, Chik-Chok approached him and said, “One day you will become a great trumpeter. This instrument is meant for you. Keep playing.” Carmo recalls these words as a source of inspiration that pushed him to refine his craft.
Over the years, Carmo has witnessed the evolution of the music scene in Goa. He remembers a time when Aldona had a vibrant community of young people eager to learn musical instruments, inspired by the local culture. However, he now observes that modern distractions, like gadgets, have shifted the focus of today’s youth, and fewer are pursuing the discipline of music.
In the past, while financial rewards for musicians were modest, they commanded great respect. Playing a wind instrument like the trumpet required hours of dedication, and Carmo made many sacrifices to master his art. Despite the challenges, he found fulfillment in his music.
“Learning to play an instrument doesn’t just make you talented—it sharpens your mind and helps you stand out. While performing abroad might seem like the ultimate goal, I want to remind young people that success is attainable right here in Goa,” says Carmo.
Reflecting on the changing musical landscape, Carmo notes, “In earlier times, there wasn’t much value for music, but there was great respect for musicians. In my prime, children in Aldona would line up to learn instruments. Today, that passion seems to have faded. As kids, we balanced our musical practice with helping our parents with their work. Today’s distractions, like mobile phones, and the pursuit of high-paying jobs, have made the younger generation less inclined to pick up traditional musical instruments. Success in any field—whether it’s studies, sports, work, or a skill—requires hard work. There’s no shortcut. We need to set goals, keep learning, and keep practicing,” concludes Fernandes.
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