Music producer programme now available for secondary school students

The Unit’s Music Coordinator, Joel Gonasalves is part of the team which is spearheading the programme which will be conducted every Saturday at the Unit of Allied Arts located in the Queen’s College compound.

Chief Executive Officer of Kross Kolor and local music teacher and producer, Burchmore Simon is the lead instructor on the programme.

He explained that the programme is made possible through UNESCO and CARICOM, while the University of the West Indies is the administrator. The course will cover basic music theory, and the use of keyboard controllers to make rhythm tracks within standard music creation/audio software. It will also feature audio engineering basics for sound recording, music marketing basics, and understanding the functions of music industry specialists like producers, arrangers, publishers, road managers and music managers.

Students were selected for the programme earlier this year and upon the successful completion, five of the best students will be presented with music production equipment. These students will also be registered with a regional performing rights organisation.

The ministry noted that the students expressed their enthusiasm to be a part of the programme.

Sixteen-year-old Justin Whyte from St Rose’s High School expressed his passion for music and noted that a programme such as this will help propel his career.
Rehaicia Romain, a Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination student at the Bishops’ High School excitedly said she is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a programme such as this.