Feb. 28, 2009 – The Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute, the Department of Education's Cultural Education Division and the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts will host the territory's Third Annual March Music Series, entitled "Celebrating Our Sons and Daughters of Music." The event is being held in tandem with the celebrations of V.I. History Month and Music in Our Schools Month. Throughout March, concerts will be held in each district showcasing the musical talents of public, private and parochial schools, according to a press release from the V.I. Department of Education.
Myron Jackson, executive director of the Cultural Heritage Institute said, "The theme of this year's series is fitting as we bridge the generations honoring local musicians and introducing the future of this territory's musical history with our students. Each of the scheduled programs will be dedicated to a Virgin Islander who has or continues to contribute tremendously as a composer, writer, director, musician or another capacity in the field of music." This event is in keeping with Governor John deJongh's commitment to engage and encourage Virgin Islands youth in all aspects of culture and history.
Local musical icons being honored include: Alwyn Ladd Richards, Phillip "Grasshopper" Pickering, Godfrey Smalls, Frederick Morton, Wilfred "Fred" Thomas, Georgia Francis, Beryl Hill, Wesley and Archie Thomas, Arthur Jeppesen, Leona Watson, Ethel Macintosh, Emannuel "Mano" Boyd, Liston "Matey" Sewer, Helen Joseph, Alphonso Forbes, Neal Creque, Roan Creque and Ira "Sax" Meyers.
Featured schools include: J. Antonio Jarvis Elementary, Evelyn E. Marcelli Elementary, Julius E. Sprauve School, Arthur Richards Junior High, All Saints Cathedral, Gladys Abraham Elementary, Charles Emanuel School, Leonard Dober Elementary, Addelita Cancryn Junior High, Pearl B. Larsen Elementary, Guy Benjamin Elementary, St. Croix Educational Complex High School, St. Croix Central High School, Charlotte Amalie High School and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.
Glen "Kwabena" Davis, director of Education's Cultural Division said, "Here in the Virgin Islands and across the nation, many initiatives have been undertaken to integrate the arts into the curriculum providing opportunities for students to become engaged in recreational artistic expression resulting in increased attendance at school, improved classroom focus and behavior, and better academic performance."
For more information regarding the scheduled program, contact the Cultural Heritage Institute at 777-1012, the Division of Cultural Education at 774-0100, ext. 8049 or 8050, on St. Thomas; at 773-1095, ext. 7115, on St. Croix.