HOI 2017
In addition to the orchestral training, BLUME Haiti board member Scott Harrison led an arts administration seminar and Utah-based luthier, John Paul Lucas, worked with 5 participants on string instrument repair.
Some words from BLUME Haiti Board Member Jacques Anderson Bernier on HOI 2017:
I’m so delighted to present a report from the first National Orchestra Institute in Haiti, according to my understanding, expectation and perspective on that activity. My name is Jacques Anderson BERNIER, native of Haiti, former Musician at Holy Trinity Music school of Port-au-Prince, clarinetist, pianist, composer, Choir director and BLUME Haiti board member.
The first National Orchestra Institute is one of the greater musical activities that have ever happened in Haiti. It has a deep and strong social, political, and economic impact in many ways and any angle that we can imagine how that it was more than necessary to start it and have it there. This concept was an old dream for many of those who participated from either private music schools or a recent government project, finally it became a reality to us. We Haitians from all departments come and play together, make music at a High level, regardless of our differences, (background knowledge, economic situations, faith and belief, age, gender) that is such a big opportunity to show that music is a powerful medium that we can use to produce something positive and benefic, to resolve or address issues in case of disagreement, and to show to others our determination of doing good.
… we were in a perfect condition to produce the best of ourselves and create an unforgettable event.
This project means a lot to me. Let me articulate a few words to show how effective it was.
Hope that if we work hard we can have a full-time, professional orchestra in Haiti in a nearest future.
Exchange that experience crossed the barrier of language, culture and put all together for one.
Purpose greater than a simple performance.
Improving, it helped a lot with musical skills, group behavior, positive attitude and collaborative project.
Love, Peace and Unity are lastly but not the last words that I will use to express my feeling and describe how wonderful and important this project means to me on behalf of a poor country devastated by all kind of problems, natural disasters, economic and political issues, healthcare, etc.… When we bring these young musicians together, it’s clear signal that we want to over-come those problems and we won’t give up until we get a fine solution for a better tomorrow.
Music is a good Healer and a strong connector, we need it, we can’t stop it, let’s do this again!!!!
Quotes from participants:
“A thousand thanks to BLUME Haiti for this wonderful initiative taken for the development of our country. Because music is a tool of development! Thank you very much to the 18 music schools that participated in this beautiful initiative. We hope that this program continues to help change Haiti. Music makes us come together as one.”
— Jonas Thermidor, viola
“This was a beautiful experience for me. I thank, first of all, Madam Janet Anthony who is indefatigable as far as music in Haiti is concerned and all the volunteers of the Utah Symphony for their all the sacrifices they accepted to leave their activities to come help us. In this seminar, I was so happy to see the devotion that the volunteers brought to their work and to see the devotion the Haitian musicians manifested to learn so that the seminar would be a success. I am so happy. I learned a lot and I hope that this work will continue to the satisfaction of each volunteer and each Haitian who makes music in Haiti. Thank you to my teachers.”
— Lucien Emmanuel, violin