Local musician, Mr Eric O. Christian Jr has embarked on a campaign that will someday allow the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) begin offering an Associate Degree music programme. Photo: provided

The Coordinator said he will be meeting with stakeholders in the public and private sector to arrange for funding that will allow the programme to be started. Photo: provided

Mr Christian envisions that within the next three years the College will be able to offer an Associate Degree in Music programme either in piano or voice.

Mr Christian, a college lecturer, told Virgin Islands News Online that the HLSCC is currently less equipped to offer a music programme when compared to the Elmore Stoutt High School. Currently, one of the deficiencies he expressed is a lack of musical instruments for persons interested in becoming involved in a programme.

“We have a lot of talent in the BVI, a lot of raw talent,” Christian said. He added that musical talent nurtured at the Elmore Stoutt High School often drops off once entering the college because there are no facilities to allow this.

In the interim, he announced the introduction of a free workshop/master class programme called Mentoring through the Arts of Music which will run each month for a one week period. The workshop will be facilitated primarily by Mr Dion Parson and Mr Christian. Both men have a wealth of experience in the field and also have extensive backgrounds in music.

The programme is designed to cater for students from the elementary school level up to the college level. A similar programme has already begun in neighbouring St Thomas, USVI.

Students involved in the programme will participate in series of community concerts each month in addition to a one week summer school programme.

Coordinators of the programme, Mr Christian revealed, are also offering to advocate for participants who wish to enter music schools abroad by liaising with Universities overseas.

Mr Christian added that the programme will also encourage some level of tourism since overseas professional musicians who will be participating will also be performing in concerts in the Territory.

The Coordinator said he will be meeting with stakeholders in the public and private sector to arrange for funding that will allow the programme to be started. He said an initial budget of $150,000 has been set for the programme.

A meeting has been organised with members of the private sector for tomorrow, April 11, 2014 at the Botanic Gardens at 5:30 pm. He related that some level of support will also be solicited from the Ministry of Education at some point.