BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – STAFF of the Basseterre High School (BHS) is expecting their latest initiative aimed at at-risk youths to yield positive results and foster a spirit of success among the participants.
The initiative – birthed by Principal of the learning institution Urlene Bloice-Roberts – involves the creation of a steel orchestra to be called the “BHS Sugar Styx Steel Orchestra” and the expansion of the BHS Symphony Band, which would initially cater to 25 students, 13 boys and 12 girls.
Recently, corporate entity PDV St. Kitts Nevis Ltd (Petro Caribe) threw its support behind the initiative and donated some EC$56 565 to purchase the instruments and uniforms for the bands’ members.
The generous sponsorship package was accepted by BHS’ Vice Principal Carlene Henry-Morton, who, in an exclusive interview, told SKNVibes that these activities might be just what the at-risk youths need as a means of bringing organisation and discipline to their lives.
“Music, I think, can be very soothing, can be very calming but the very discipline of being part of a band, a lot of our children need that kind of structure and order in their lives; the order of having to arrive in time for practice, of being part of a team, of wearing a uniform in a particular way. Those are the kinds of character traits and lifeskills that we are trying to inculcate. If music is one of the avenues through which we can get that done, we will certainly be willing to explore whatever it is that is out there and available to us and not strictly academics.”
Morton said she believes this avenue could be used as a springboard for success in the lives of the participants.
“If they can use the pan and the instruments and be part of a band to give them some level or a measure of success, it builds their confidence. They may not necessarily be successful in Math and English and so on, but you can be an expert pan player…and once you achieving success in those areas, success breaths success. Maybe it is just that one area of success to teach you that you can be a success and then you go on to be very productive.”
SKNVibes understands that the process of purchasing the uniforms and instruments for the bands will begin in September 2010. However, as Morton explained, “this is just a little seed that we are planting (and) we would expand as we go along”.
