The Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute (VICHI), in collaboration with the V.I. Department of Education’s Division of Cultural Education and the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts (VICA), will host the territory’s fifth annual March Music Series, titled “The Sounds of Music.” This event is being held in tandem with the celebrations of V.I. History Month, as proclaimed by Governor John P. de Jongh, and the national observance of Music in Our Schools Month. Throughout March, concerts will be held on each island, showcasing the musical talents of Virgin Islands public, private and parochial school students, honoring local musicians and tradition bearers.
Myron Jackson, executive director of the VICHI said, “Beginning during the month of March and extending into the month of April, various schools will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in public spaces and special event venues. Our program will comprise of a series of concerts held in the Emancipation Garden, St. Thomas, a special program at the Julius Sprauve School on St. John, and musical programs and workshops at various schools and venues throughout St. Croix District.
“This year’s theme, “The Sounds of Music,”’ celebrates the diverse musical heritage of the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean region and the Americas. Participants may pull from this rich cultural heritage and genre of musical forms of African drumming, quelbe, cariso, Latin, jazz, calypso, soca, zouk, reggae, gospel, spirituals, chanting, steel orchestras, and marching and symphonic bands. We are also integrating the art of dance in the 2011 music series. Performers are encouraged to present dance forms and expressions of the Americas such as the quadrille, bombula, plena de bomba, salsa, mengue, bachata, May pole, stepping and other dances. Several renowned musicians and bands will participate in educational workshops and community concerts in each district, during which we will also recognize noted musicians, bands, artists, composers, groups and institutions that have contributed to the preservation and advancement of music in the Virgin Islands and the throughout world,” Jackson said.
For more information, call the VICHI at 777-1012.
2011 March Music Series
In Celebration of Virgin Islands History Month and Music in Our Schools Month
The Sounds of Music
Workshops – Residencies
Friday, March 11 – University of the Virgin Islands
Residency at the University of the Virgin Islands music program with Virgin Islands international renowned operatic singers Author Woodley and Gylchris Sprauve
Tuesday, March 15 – Saturday, March 20
In school residencies with renowned artist Reginald Cyntje, trombone and music instructor
Tuesday, March 15 – Ivanna Eudora Kean High School – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 16 – Gladys Abraham Elementary – 9 a.m., Julius Sprauve School – 2 p.m., Charlotte Amalie High School – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 17 – St. Croix Education Complex – 8:30 a.m., Central High School- 4 p.m.
Friday, March 18 – Joseph Sibilly Elementary – 9 a.m., All Saints School – 10:30 a.m., AddelitaCancryn Junior High – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 17 – Reichhold Center for the Arts, 9-10 a.m.
Motivational/empowerment lecture demonstration for female students by Lira Hugh, featured performer for the upcoming Hugh Masekela concert
Thursday, March 17 – University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Campus, 6 p.m.
Live panel discussion with Hugh Masekela at UVI Campus, which will be podcast to St. Thomas campus and is available to the general public
Friday, March 18 – St. Croix Education Complex, 9:30 a.m.
Motivational/empowerment lecture demonstration for female students by Lira Hugh at the Education Complex
Friday, April 1 – Reichhold Center, 7- 8 p.m.
Artist residency with Gramps Morgan, who is a featured performer at the Jimmy Cliff Concert
Music Series Program:
March 14-18; March 28 – April 1
This year, two weeks will be dedicated to public concerts by students enrolled in various music programs who desire to participate in community outreach.
Wednesday, March 16 – Addelita Cancryn Jr. H.S., Emancipation Garden – 10 a.m. to noon
St. Thomas Tradition Bearers will be honored at this event.
Friday, March 18 – Program at Julius Sprauve School, Cruz Bay, St. John – 1 p.m.
This program activity celebrates the talents and rich musical heritage of music students. St. John Tradition Bearers will be honored at this event.
Jazz Concert: Freedom’s Children the Celebration – 7 p.m.
Jarvis House Museum and Learning Center
A benefit jazz concert by Reginald Cyntje and friends for the release of the CD “Freedom’s Children — The Celebration”
Saturday, March 26 – The Battle of the Bands, UVI Sports and Fitness Center, 7 p.m.
The Battle of the Bands is a music competition between the Charlotte Amalie High School and Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Marching Bands.
Monday, March 28 – Charlotte Amalie H.S., Emancipation Garden – 10 a.m. to noon
St. Thomas Tradition Bearers will be honored at this event.
Tuesday, March 29 – Ivanna Eudora Kean H.S., Emancipation Garden – 10 a.m. to noon
St. Thomas Tradition Bearers will be honored at this event.
Annual Cultural Fair, St. Croix Central H.S. – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Croix Tradition Bearers will be honored at this event.
Wednesday, March 30 – Gladys A. Abraham, Emancipation Garden – 10 a.m. to noon
St. Thomas Tradition Bearers will be honored at this event.
V.I. History Month Program, Elena Christian Junior High – 9:30 a.m.
St. Croix Tradition Bearers will be honored at this event.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Willard John of the “Guardians of Culture” moco-jumbie will be the honored
during the Elena Christian Junior High Annual Cultural fair from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Friday, April 1
Cultural Showcase at Dorsch Activity and Cultural Center, 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Honorees are Norman Bailey and Charlita Schuster of Music in Motion and Bradley Christian of the St. Croix Heritage Dancers.
Friday, April 15
The 2011 V.I. Music Series will pay tribute to Island Center and the Caribbean Dance Companyduring St. Croix Central High School Annual Cultural Fair from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Wednesday, March 30
Julius Sprauve School from 1– 2:30 p.m. Long-time Conscious Reggae group
Inner Vision and the St. John School of the Performing Arts will be the honorees.
Saturday, April 2
Steel Band Concert at Wells Ball Park, St. John, at 1 p.m. Love City Pan Dragons Steel Orchestra will be honored.
For more information contact the Cultural Education offices at 774-0100, extensions2804, 2806 and 2809 on St. Thomas or 718-3654 on St. Croix.