Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
THOUGH JAMAICA is reaping tremendous benefits from the music industry, there is growing concern that there is not enough effort to teach music in schools and to diversify the kind of music to which people are exposed through the media.
The sentiment was reiterated by representatives of the Jamaica Music Teachers Association at the launch of their 2005 Classical Music competition at the Jamaica Pegasus last Friday morning. The competition was officially started at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts with a performance by pianist Ray Luck.
COMPETITION BEGINS
Luck will also act as the week-long competition's adjudicator. The competition began yesterday with two sets of competitions, starting at 4:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. each day until Thursday. On Friday, there will be a presentation of awards as well as a 'sing-off'. The competition will feature performances in the categories: piano, singing, string and wind for solos and groups. The vocal categories include leider, opera, oratorio, vocal duet, vocal ensemble, mixed choir and Negro spirituals.
During the sparsely attended launch, the association's president Winston Ewart urged the public to attend despite the stereotype which classical music labours under.
"I know the moment you hear classical people think, hmm, that's not for me," he said. He noted, however, that at the competition the audience would be treated to a wide range of genres. "Don't let the word classical put you off," he added.
Maxan Russell supported this stance. "It's (classical music) stereotyped as something you wouldn't enjoy and we need to dispel that myth," she said. "It is something that you can enjoy."
Much of the blame was laid at the feet of the media, whom the organisers argued only give exposure to popular music.
The problem of lack of exposure is further exacerbated by the focus of music in schools. Ewart expressed concern about the number of qualified teachers in the school system and it was revealed that many of the students who competed were taught privately. However, Barry Williams revealed that though invitations were sent to all schools, very few responded with entrants.
LEARNING FROM A RECORDING
Ewart noted that, in effect, students were often learning music, whether instrumental or vocal, from recordings.
"One of the things about learning music from a recording is that you sing or play what you think you hear," Ewart said.
The organisers stated that part of the reason for staging the competition was to allow persons a vehicle for performance and to promote excellence.
"Sometimes when we try to outsing each other, we try to
outperform each other and the whole thing becomes a wreck," Ewart said. "It's not so much about who wins or who loses, but how they pace each other on the road to excellence."
