Keva Muller sits down with Charlotte Amalie band seniors ahead of their high school graduation.
Be prepared. Stay focused. Make no excuses. Work to your fullest potential. These were some of the nuggets of advice members of the Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) Music Department’s Class of 2017 offered the rising seniors. On Sunday, June 18 at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center, the group of 16 students will be some of the first to walk into the arena and be seated stage right to provide musical accompaniment on the biggest day of their lives—their high school graduation.
Coming off the heels of their senior prom, I sat down with the high-spirited seniors inside the famed Music Suite for a candid discussion on being in the band, their final year in high school and their plans for after graduation. I quickly learned that this was no ordinary school band—but a true family of musicians.
Many of the students started playing their instruments in elementary school, while others come from families of musicians. The one thing they had in common, though, is the fact that they were all influenced by other musicians.
“I’ve been playing the drums for as long as I could remember,” recalls Nyere Francis, Jr. of his introduction to music. Francis, who goes by “Lil Nyere,” is the son of local drummer, Nyere Francis, Sr., who has performed with Jam Band.
Eljhaie Brathwaite, a member of the Virgin Islands Youth Ensemble jazz group, credits his musical influences to local musicians Victor Provost and Dion Parson. A trumpet player in the elite jazz combo, Eljhaie also plays the steel pan and says his admiration for Provost and Parson comes from his love for jazz music.
When the discussion turned to favorite genres of music, the group surprisingly revealed their collective appreciation for Zouk—a mix of African, salsa and jazz music popular in the French West Indies. I imagined the teens would say hip-hop or rap. As all true musicians do, the students said they enjoy all types of music and pay attention to a variety of sounds when listening to any one genre.
Soon the conversation shifted to the dynamics of juggling band obligations with staying on top of their school work. This was of particular interest to me because of my love of education and live music. Drum Majors K’Risa Chesterfield and Khalil Finch spoke about their role leading the band in performance.
“Being a drum major is a huge job,” K’Risa explained. “We are tasked with leading a group of our peers in the right direction. We have to be able to think on our feet and fill in when the band directors aren’t available.”
Khalil agreed and further pointed out that drum majors take the lead on performance specifics, such as attire and venue preparedness.
The group, which spends at least ten hours a week performing and practicing, argues that sports and music are more alike than we think. Aside from teamwork being the underlying theme in any group effort, the students identified seasons of performances. During the fall months, particularly October and November, the marching band performs at a number of events. Winter months are a bit slower and are generally highlighted by the annual Christmas concerts. Things pick back up in the spring with a flurry of activity for the concert and jazz bands.
This school year all four public high school marching bands participated in both the 2017 St. Croix Festival and St. Thomas Carnival Children's Parades. The opportunity allowed the band students of both islands to connect with each other through a cultural exchange.
Without their instruments and obligations to the band, the students are simply a set of friends who share a common passion for music. This year, their friendship forged a first-time Band Weekend. During the four-day weekend, they enjoyed a beach day, caught a movie, attended a senior-recognition luncheon and supported their friends at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Spring Concert. In fact, the two high school music students regularly enjoy joint performances.
The CAHS students left me very inspired about their high school band experiences, so I spoke next with some of the leading music students in St. Croix to learn about their year and how they were getting ready graduation.
Kadia Joseph, clarinet player and one of the St. Croix Educational Complex High School (SCECHS) Marching Band drum majors, said if she had the opportunity to join forces with another high school’s marching band she would choose Charlotte Amalie.
“Charlotte Amalie’s brass section is heavy—it would balance out our woodwinds section and I feel like it would make the overall sound stronger,” explained Kadia. She also said music is an escape for her and loves the individuality of playing her own instrument while contributing to one harmonious sound of the band.
While the majority of students I spoke with agreed that balancing music and academics required skillful time management, Kianna Harrison, SCECHS clarinet player and the fellow drum major, considers music an integral part of her life. “Time management is important, but for me, music doesn’t feel like an extracurricular activity; it’s just a part of my life,” she said. “Just as I wake every morning to go to school, I play music.”
Kianna also revealed that her fellow bandmate, Keshawn Hardy, inspires her. She spoke highly of the skilled trumpet player, noting that he plays a large role in helping out and ensuring that all of the students understand the music. Keshawn, a member of the VI Youth Ensemble, recently received the Jerry Silverberg Trumpet Award presented by the United Jazz Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.
SCECHS percussion section leader and member of the VI Youth Ensemble, Deon St. Jules says the band helped him develop character. “Being in the band brushed up on my leadership skills, especially when I became section leader,” he said. “It also helps us with our sportsmanship, conduct, respect and gives us a sense of responsibility.”
One of the later-blooming musicians, Omari Auguste, began playing the trumpet in the 10th grade and credits SCECHS band director Kevre Hendricks for his progress, love and understanding of music. He said joining the band was the best decision he’s made in high school and that it has opened many doors for him.
I asked Omari what was his most memorable performance and interestingly, he said it was his “promposal” in March. The chivalrous senior recruited members of the brass section to help him ask his date to the prom following an instrumental cover of Monica’s “For You I Will.” The heart-warming event was caught on camera and has garnered nearly 25,000 views on Facebook.
Omari plans to attend the University of the Virgin Islands-St. Thomas campus and major in Music Education. “I rarely hear about music teachers at the elementary level, so I want to teach the younger kids,” he said. “I started playing music late and I regret it because I would be a much better musician if I had the experience of growing and evolving from a young age.”
Eljhaie will attend George Mason University in the nation’s capital to study music under the guidance of Victor Provost. Kadia plans to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical University and major in physical therapy. She is also interested in joining the university’s award-winning band. K’Risa will attend Virginia State University and major in political science with plans to also join the marching band.
Tisean Paul, a CAHS saxophonist, sums up the students’ whirlwind year, “We’re just having a fun time showcasing our talents.” And it showed.
After a full school year of attending concerts, parades and events featuring student musicians, I am left almost speechless and feeling a bit slighted that I didn’t take music more seriously beyond playing steel pan. The immeasurable talent our students have is second to none. Having recently returned home, I have a newfound love and appreciation for music, specifically student musicians in our public schools.
As an employee of the V.I. Department of Education, it is rewarding to see students engaging in much more than their academics. Extracurricular activities like band build character, create bonds and foster lasting friendships. Whether these students plan to pursue music in their post-secondary endeavors or decide to take a different route, I am confident that the skills and lessons they have learned from being a part of the band will play a major role in their future successes.
Congratulations to the musically inclined Class of 2017!
By Keva Muller
At the time of publication, students attending the Ivanna Eudora Kean and St. Croix Central High schools could not be reached.
CAHS band seniors and band directors and the senior recognition luncheon during Band Weekend.
Students enjoy an evening out at the movie theater during the inaugural Band Weekend.
SCEC Band performs during the 2017 St. Croix Festival Children's Parade.
Charlotte Amalie's marching band performs during the 2017 St. Croix Festival Children's Parade.
St. Croix Educational Complex performs at the 2017 St. Thomas Carnival Children's Parade.
CAHS seniors perform at their annual Christmas Concert during the 2016-17 school year.
Students in the VI Youth Ensemble perform at the Old Stone Farmhouse.
