Students urged to take music seriously

Prolific song writer and Music Teacher at the St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) and the Coordinator of a two-week Summer Functional Music Program, Ian Jackson, has advised its 31 participants to “take music seriously”.

Jackson made that statement while addressing the closing ceremony of the program held at the Calypso House on Saturday.

“Within this class of the 31 students who pass through this program about five to six have displayed potential beyond the classroom and should go on to take music seriously,” he said.

Jackson described entertainment as the biggest industry, “and all the tutors can confess making a living even right here at home in music.”

He also encouraged parents to make serious effort to assist children in supporting music.

“While the instruments have to be returned, we encourage those that do not have that parents should really make a serious effort as one can only achieve greatness and progress with one’s tools and it allows them to practise at their own leisure,” Jackson stated.

In an earlier interview with Dominica News Online, Jackson revealed that it is his vision for the exercise to be a permanent school of music as the “Kairi School of Music some two decades ago.”

“I trust that when the relevant authorities and the relative approaches are a made through funding agents that it will be seen as a requirement in a country blessed with musical talent waiting to blossom,” he said.

The program began on June 29th and culminates on July 11, 2015.

Classes included theory sessions on Guitars, drums, keyboard and bass guitar, followed by the practical.

The age range for students was from 7 to 26.