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Alpha Institute: Birthplace Of Legendary Jamaican Musicians Gets An Upgrade

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The Alpha Institute

Mere days away from marking 141 years of existence, the Alpha Institute—credited with influencing the development of Ska and Reggae—has received a boost for its music program.

On Monday, Sandals Foundation unveiled a 20-foot ‘Alpha Ska’ installation done by local artist Lisa Lindo and based on the late Michael ‘Freestylee’ Thompson’s design. The “mild steel” art installation is overlooking a performance space at the end of a 100-foot Music Walkway—a $2.6-million upgrade sponsored by Sandals Foundation.

Sandals Foundation—which is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International—said in a statement on Monday that the upgrade also included multi-core audio mixing equipment for live performances and didactic panels that explain Alpha’s role and approach to music education for visitors and students to enjoy.

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Then on Tuesday, Digicel Foundation officially opened a dedicated music center at the South Camp Road, Kingston institution with the unveiling of the Colm Delves Centre sign.

Digicel Foundation’s founder and patron Denis O’Brien said at the unveiling ceremony that the center, named in honor of Digicel Group’s former CEO Colm Delves who died after a battle with cancer last year, is the foundation’s largest investment in a music program to date.

Delves is said to have been a lover of Jamaica’s culture, heritage, people, and music.

The upgrades will help Alpha Institute—an incubator for many of Jamaica’s talented musicians like Johnny Osbourne, Yellowman, and Leroy Smart—to continue serving at-risk youths and providing training in music and other skills.

In the statement Monday, Sandals Foundation Executive Director Heidi Clarke said the investment represents the foundation’s commitment to the development of Jamaica’s culture and youth.

“Reggae music is really a representation of the true culture of Jamaica and it is also one of the key ways to engage young people who love music. Learning an instrument and understanding the essentials of music opens so many doors and we are extremely happy to be able to help build on that platform which can and has been the vehicle of change for so many youth,” she said.

Following the handover on Monday, based on a post on Alpha Institute’s Instagram page, Alpha School of Music Administrator Margaret Little Wilson said the Sandals Foundation and Alpha School of Music partnership fulfills the potential of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO’s) designation of Kingston as a Creative City for Music.

“Our partnership also gives life to the message in Reggae music that helped place Reggae on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The fact that the Sisters of Mercy Jamaica were recognized last year with an international Music Cities Award for Best Use of Music to Support Sustainability according to UN Sustainable Development Goals—including sustainable tourism—is a testament to the benefits of our partnership,” she said.

Little Wilson also thanked the foundation for believing in music education and the power of Jamaican music.

“While many schools are having to reduce their music budget, Alpha is extremely fortunate to be growing our music program. We are especially pleased to be adding an Associate Degree in Music Performance. Despite the challenges of the past year, today’s (Monday’s) celebration is a much-needed and timely reminder that we are on the right path. Now, let’s go and walk it,” the Instagram post said.

Instagram user redibo60 also commented on the Sandals Foundation-sponsored upgrade, but on a post on the foundation’s IG page.

“So much of Jamaica’s musical culture, history and heritage has its genesis and ‘groundation’ at this venerable institution. Reggae to the world!” the social media user said.

Along with Yellowman, the reggae artist behind Blueberry Hill; Johnny Osbourne, who had hits like Buddy Bye, Ice Cream Love, and Water Pumping; and Leroy Smart, with songs like Ballistic Affair and Pride & Ambition, other musical greats to have graduated from Alpha Institute, according to Alpha Boys School Radio, are Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace; John ‘Dizzy’ Moore; Don Drummond; Dizzy Reece; Cedric Brooks; Tommy McCook; Bertie King; Lennie Hibbert; and Bobby Ellis.

Alpha Boys School Radio is a 24/7 streaming radio station showcasing decades of Jazz, Ska and Reggae recordings by current and past students of Alpha Institute.

Registered with the Ministry of Education, the Alpha Institute story started on May 1, 1880, when Jessie Ripoll joined forces with four other women and opened an orphanage called Alpha Cottage in Kingston. It has been operated by the Religious Sisters of Mercy since 1890. Before being renamed Alpha Institute, it had previously been called Alpha Industrial School for Boys and Alpha Boys School.

The school’s music program dates back to 1892 when it was started by Sister M. de Chantal, according to the institute’s website.

“Alpha Institute’s music program has expanded to include disc jockey training, recording and production, Pro Tools, and radio techniques” and offers a “holistic program” for young men 16-22 years old, which includes team-building workshops, family counselling, internships, and work placement, the website also said.

The upgraded facilities will help the training institution launch its new Associate Degree in Music Performance. This new educational offering, according to the statement from Sandals Foundation, will be the first of its kind in Jamaica to focus on ensemble-style performance at a tertiary level.

At the end of both events to mark the unveiling and handover of upgraded facilities on Monday and Tuesday, Little Wilson thanked the corporate citizens for helping Alpha Institute continue its mission.