Elmore Stoutt High School senior Tyren Jones had no plans for how he’d spend his summer break, but that changed after his little brother signed up for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Music Summer Programme.
Since the programme started last week, Mr. Jones and Drae Smith, another ESHS senior, have been helping other music instructors administer it.
“It’s fun: You get to know more people and help them out music-wise,” Mr. Jones said. “This is not the first time I’ve taught others, but I’ve never taught in this big setting.”
The students
Not only is the month-long programme affording the high schoolers the opportunity to gain community service hours, but it’s helping younger participants better appreciate music, said Carol Schoonhoven, who heads the summer camp.
“Usually we have around 15 to 20 participants each year, but this year we have 25 and it’s the most we’ve had,” said the music teacher. “We try not to go over 20 because we don’t really have much space or the amount of instruments, but we’ve made it work this year.”
Each day is divided into three segments, Ms. Schoonhoven explained: “We have music history, music theory and then introduction to the instrument families.”
Many of the participants already know a lot about music, but others are still rookies.
“There are many who have never done music before, so when they leave they really leave with a strong base of music, and many of them want to continue, so they will register for the normal after-school programme starting in September,” Ms. Schoonhoven said.
Life lessons
The programme focuses on other areas of the children’s development as well.
“We talk about being nice human beings and nice citizens of the world,” Ms. Schoonoven said. “When they finish, they do act more peaceful. I am very strict with them; there’s no bullying, there’s no bad words.”
The progamme is also aimed at introducing children to other career options, said Thea Cooke, who teaches piano and bass guitar.
“It’s very important to let children feel out different career aspects, including music,” said Ms. Cooke, who recently graduated with an associate’s degree from H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and is a member of the college’s Stingray Singers. “A lot of people tend to not choose music because people claim it can’t be a career here in the VI.”
That couldn’t be further from the truth, according to the musician.
“It’s lovely as a career for me,” she explained. “I play bass guitar for the Stingray Singers; I get hired for gigs, and people ask me to tutor here and there and I also work with the after-school programme.”
Twelve-year-old Khalid Sergeant hasn’t seriously explored music as a career, but for now he’s enjoying taking part in the summer programme.
“This is the first time I’m in a camp for music,” he said as he completed a quiz on musical notes. “Most times I would go somewhere with sports or arts and crafts. It’s been really fun. They give us a lot of information about the keyboard, and the music here is really nice to listen to.”
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