Adventures in Marmelade
A small community with a terrific music school!
I set off in an overfilled SUV from Cap Haitian to the town of Dondon. From there to Marmelade, I was on the back of a motorcycle, sandwiched between the driver and a teacher of the school as we made our way on a rough road through the gorgeous countryside.
My goal for this visit was to help people prepare their auditions for the Haitian Orchestra Institute. In all, 30 teachers and students from just this one program auditioned for the HOI - a record!
Musicians selected for the HOI will be able to come by car - many by the same, beautiful route that I took through the mountains, on a road only suitable for travel by 4-wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles, horses, donkeys, or by foot. Except for the 4-wheel drive vehicles, I saw plenty of all of the other options!
The Marmelade music school was started by former Haitian president, Réne Préval, with teachers from Cuba and Port-au-Prince. Its current director, Wilbens Pierre, is a violinist I have known since his participation in the 2007 Holy Trinity Music School summer camp - a long time!
Wilbens and his leadership team, Trancil Ceres (bass/mini Orchestra) and Nickson Similien (viola, logistics) are doing a remarkable job in the community and the music school has become a highly respected model for many. Parents from a 20-mile radius are eager to send their children to this program because they know that, not only do the kids receive a good education in music, but they also learn how to function in society. Wilbens and his team hear over and over again that the “music kids” are excellent role models for other children in the community. They do well in school, have formed fast friendships with their colleagues, their support network is strong and they take great pride in their growing abilities as young musicians.
BLUME Haiti has offered grants to help supplement teacher salaries to this program for a number of years. Given the tremendous success of this program, we feel these funds are very well spent!
I am now back in Cap Haitian with more planning underway for the Haitian Orchestra Institute starting in just a few short weeks!
