In October of this year, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), along with partners from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), the Department of Local Government, Culture and the Creative Industries as well as the Saint Lucia School of Music (SLSM) launched the Sound Waves – Transforming Youth at Risk through Music Project. The project is one which seeks to undertake Training and Capacity Building in Music with a focus on unemployed and under-employed youth, youth at risk and youth with an interest in the music industry.
Subsequent to the launch, 50 persons have qualified for training following an interview exercise. Trainees were selected from around the island and are expected to commence the one year programme shortly. An orientation exercise for this training took place on Friday December 2nd, 2016 at the CDF’s Conference Room from 10:00 a.m. where participants confirmed their dedication to the project by signing an agreement to that effect.
Official classes commence from Monday December 5th at two training centres; the National Skills Development Centres (NSDC) in Bisee, Castries and Vieux Fort for a three-week duration. The beneficiaries will access life skills courses during the month of December and will continue in the new year with courses in Music Theory, Music Performance Recording Engineering, Web Page Design, ICT- Information Technology and Marketing. The Sound Waves – Transforming Youth at Risk though Music Project offers participants the opportunity to gain Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ); recognised regionally and internationally.
About the Sound Waves – Transforming Youth at Risk through Music Project (2016)
Internationally and regionally, music is recognized as a growth industry even in harsh economic times. Additionally studies increasingly show the power of music to transform the outlook of youth at risk, giving them the opportunity to develop their ability to express themselves effectively working out their challenges through creative expression and also increasing their cognitive functions across the learning spectrum.
Saint Lucia has benefitted immensely by the availability of musical education available at the Saint Lucia School of Music (SLSM), however, the capacity of the SLSM to reach the demographic targeted by this project, is limited. In discussions with the SLSM, they recount their experience:
“…the Government of Saint Lucia discontinued the Community Access Grant programme last year citing fiscal challenges. The grant was originally created in 2011 to support the growth and expansion of the school’s community outreach music programmes. This was a direct result of the successful implementation of the OAS Marchand Youth Orchestra a three year pilot project which inspired the creation of similar programmes across the island. “
The Sound Waves – Transforming Youth at Risk through Music Project proposes to take the music training back into communities at risk and to provide facilities that solve a key problem for youth wishing to pursue a career in music – affordable top quality recording and rehearsal space: this will remain accessible by the beneficiaries long after the project is completed. The Cultural Development Foundation will incorporate a continued level of support to the beneficiaries beyond the scope of this project.
The project will give the beneficiaries the opportunity to gain National certification in music through the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) system; these certifications are also regionally recognized and contribute to the ease of working and studying in non-native CARICOM states and are recognized internationally contributing to beneficiaries’ ability to access international educational opportunities.