Blab Music
Fijian Bandsman Steps in for U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division Band During Independence Day Celebration
When a Fijian military musician answered a last‑minute call, he stepped onto the stage of the U.S. Embassy in Suva and joined the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division Band for an Independence Day celebration on July 1, 2026. The event was part of the Army’s broader Pacific outreach, which included a ten‑stop tour of the Marshall Islands in late June. The 25th Infantry Division Band, nicknamed “Tropic Lightning,” has been active in community‑engagement concerts across the region.
The call came just days before the scheduled shows. The bassist of the U.S. Army ensemble fell ill while traveling from Majuro, and the band’s section commander, Cpl. Lawrance Delanimati, was asked to step in. “I was contacted on Monday while the band was still flying in,” Delanimati told reporters. “They explained the situation and asked if I could fill in. It was a challenge, but it was also an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Delanimati arrived in Fiji at 3 a.m. and met the U.S. soldiers later that morning at the embassy. With only an hour to rehearse, the musicians worked through unfamiliar music before heading straight into a sound check for the U.S. Independence Day celebration. “There wasn’t much time,” he recalled. “SSG Chelsea Catalone handed me the bass music, and I had to learn it as quickly as possible. After one rehearsal, we were performing.”
The performance took place at the embassy’s grounds, a venue that had hosted the band’s earlier Marshall Islands tour. The U.S. Army’s public‑relations office noted that the tour was designed to fuse live performance with community outreach. The Suva concert followed a joint show with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Band at Sukuna Park the next evening, where the two ensembles performed for local audiences.
Delanimati, a professional military musician since 2014, has served in peace‑keeping missions in Baghdad, Iraq, and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. He completed the 10‑month Mutual Assistance Program Music Course with the New Zealand Army Band in 2025, graduating as the program’s Top MAP Student of the Year, and earned Trinity College London Grade 7 Practical and Theory qualifications that same year. For him, the experience was a highlight of his career. “Music has been a part of my life since high school,” he said. “Playing with the 25th Infantry Division Band was an absolute thrill. They brought incredible energy to every song, and that’s exactly the kind of music I love to play.” He added, “Professionally, this has been the most exciting musical experience I’ve ever had. Everything happened so fast, but once we started playing, it just felt natural. Music has a way of creating instant teamwork.”
The collaboration between the U.S. Army and the RFMF Band underscores a long‑standing partnership between the two militaries. According to the U.S. Embassy in Suva, the joint rehearsals, public concert, and community outreach strengthen cultural exchange and mutual respect. The event also highlighted the role of military bands in fostering goodwill and cultural diplomacy. The 25th Infantry Division Band, based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, carries the “Tropic Lightning” nickname to reflect its regional focus.
The Suva performance was one of several engagements the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division Band has undertaken in the Pacific in 2026. The band’s activities include touring, community outreach, and joint concerts with partner militaries. The event in Fiji was the first time a Fijian bandsman had stepped in for the U.S. Army’s rock ensemble, and it demonstrated the adaptability of military musicians in cross‑cultural settings. The performances concluded with a joint concert at Sukuna Park, where the musicians performed for local community members. The event was described as a reminder that partnerships can be built long before words are exchanged, and that music can bring people together regardless of origin.
The U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division Band will continue its Pacific tour, with upcoming performances scheduled in other island nations. The RFMF Band remains engaged in community outreach and cultural exchange programs. No further developments have been announced regarding the event or future collaborations.
The call came just days before the scheduled shows. The bassist of the U.S. Army ensemble fell ill while traveling from Majuro, and the band’s section commander, Cpl. Lawrance Delanimati, was asked to step in. “I was contacted on Monday while the band was still flying in,” Delanimati told reporters. “They explained the situation and asked if I could fill in. It was a challenge, but it was also an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Delanimati arrived in Fiji at 3 a.m. and met the U.S. soldiers later that morning at the embassy. With only an hour to rehearse, the musicians worked through unfamiliar music before heading straight into a sound check for the U.S. Independence Day celebration. “There wasn’t much time,” he recalled. “SSG Chelsea Catalone handed me the bass music, and I had to learn it as quickly as possible. After one rehearsal, we were performing.”
The performance took place at the embassy’s grounds, a venue that had hosted the band’s earlier Marshall Islands tour. The U.S. Army’s public‑relations office noted that the tour was designed to fuse live performance with community outreach. The Suva concert followed a joint show with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Band at Sukuna Park the next evening, where the two ensembles performed for local audiences.
Delanimati, a professional military musician since 2014, has served in peace‑keeping missions in Baghdad, Iraq, and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. He completed the 10‑month Mutual Assistance Program Music Course with the New Zealand Army Band in 2025, graduating as the program’s Top MAP Student of the Year, and earned Trinity College London Grade 7 Practical and Theory qualifications that same year. For him, the experience was a highlight of his career. “Music has been a part of my life since high school,” he said. “Playing with the 25th Infantry Division Band was an absolute thrill. They brought incredible energy to every song, and that’s exactly the kind of music I love to play.” He added, “Professionally, this has been the most exciting musical experience I’ve ever had. Everything happened so fast, but once we started playing, it just felt natural. Music has a way of creating instant teamwork.”
The collaboration between the U.S. Army and the RFMF Band underscores a long‑standing partnership between the two militaries. According to the U.S. Embassy in Suva, the joint rehearsals, public concert, and community outreach strengthen cultural exchange and mutual respect. The event also highlighted the role of military bands in fostering goodwill and cultural diplomacy. The 25th Infantry Division Band, based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, carries the “Tropic Lightning” nickname to reflect its regional focus.
The Suva performance was one of several engagements the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division Band has undertaken in the Pacific in 2026. The band’s activities include touring, community outreach, and joint concerts with partner militaries. The event in Fiji was the first time a Fijian bandsman had stepped in for the U.S. Army’s rock ensemble, and it demonstrated the adaptability of military musicians in cross‑cultural settings. The performances concluded with a joint concert at Sukuna Park, where the musicians performed for local community members. The event was described as a reminder that partnerships can be built long before words are exchanged, and that music can bring people together regardless of origin.
The U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division Band will continue its Pacific tour, with upcoming performances scheduled in other island nations. The RFMF Band remains engaged in community outreach and cultural exchange programs. No further developments have been announced regarding the event or future collaborations.
