Tina Dosch (right), music student from State University of New York, teaches youngsters in Port Antonio, Portland, how to play the flute.
Joseph Cunningham and Glenda Anderson, Gleaner Writers
VOLUNTOURISM, RELATIVELY new to Jamaica, has been touted as the trendy new 'action' vacation by many individuals, as well as educational and charitable organisations.
A combination of volunteerism and tourism, it integrates the best of the arts, culture, geography, heritage sites, the natural environment, and recreation, while providing an opportunity to serve and enhance the destination, its people, places, and things.
The latest local manifestation of this trend is four students who are participating in a week-long 'voluntourism' music project in Portland, Jamaica between April 15 and 24.
The aim - credits towards their music degree at State University of New York, Fredonia, as well as possibly, through music-based 'social work', and a peek into the world of Jr. Gong's 'Jamrock'.
"I've been touring around my country (and internationally) singing and sharing the gift of music to people of all ages," said Brad Carson, one of the students. "This trip will be by far the most teaching-intensive trip I've taken and I'm very excited and eager to come to Jamaica!"
OPEN MIND AND A SMILE
He added: "Because of the exchange students we've had at Fredonia, I feel very comfortable making this trip, because they (Jamaicans) are so positive about their own country. As far as my expectations, I know that there will be things I am not familiar with, but I am ready to approach everything with an open mind and a smile.
"I don't really have any strong impressions of Jamaica other than its beauty and that most of its citizens are very warm and welcoming!"
Fredonia music professor and group leader, Eric Wills, described 'voluntourism' as a tit-for-tat deal.
"By doing (free) recording work for the talented musicians I meet in Jamaica, I am able to give something back to the country that has given my wife and I so much enjoyment," he said. "That is how 'voluntourism' works a traveller may use whatever skills he has, as a way to assist the people of another country. This type of work has put me in contact with a far more authentic side of Jamaica, something we would never experience within the confines of an all-inclusive resort."
PERFORMANCES OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Professor Wills' students are working with Portland students and musicians in what the college has made a regular course.
"During our visit, we will be teaching lessons, offering performances of classical music, and doing free recording work with the talented musicians and students of Portland," he said. "We will act as teachers-in-residence, with free music instruction and recording sessions scheduled throughout our stay."
Professor Wills pointed out that, during his last visit to Portland, he and his wife built a small recording studio at the Claudia Williams Life Centre, funded by the Port Antonio Rotary Club. The music studio allows students and Portland area musicians to create their own musical works and CDs using the state-of-the-art computer-based recording equipment. The proceeds of the studio go toward the Life Centre HIV-awareness activities, as well as giving valuable musical and technical experience to the students, local musicians, and volunteers who use the studio.
Professor Wills currently has a waiting list (currently interviewing) of college students who are interested in being involved in following trips to Jamaica.
"Demand is so great that I am now in the planning stages of a possible second music studio on the south coast. They have heard of the studio in Port Antonio, and would like to offer a similar opportunity to the students of St. Elizabeth, using the Rotary Studio at the Port Antonio Life Centre as the model. With two locations on the island, we hope to bring even more groups of students for study, at numerous times throughout the semester," he concluded.
