In a historic event, the very first graduating class of the Alpha School of Music has completed their four year Associates Degree programme. Students, lecturers, parents and Mercy staff gathered on the Alpha Institute’s campus on May 29, 2025 to celebrate this incredible achievement.
During the ceremony, which was conducted under the theme “Upward & Onward We Go,” Ms. Marcia Tai Chun (Chief Executive Officer, Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica), told the story behind Alpha’s iconic music programme – from its early years to its evolution into a tertiary institution. She encouraged the graduates to fulfill the vision of the Sisters by reflecting the Mercy core values throughout their musical careers. As she stated, “Today you make history. You are the first fruits of a vision rooted in faith, discipline and the power of music to uplift souls and transform lives.”
Graduates were also addressed by Gay Magnus (Director of Music, ASOM) and Steve Wilson – a Music Industry Executive and longstanding patron of the school who shared how his own love of music led to his illustrious career in entertainment. To the graduates’ delight, Mr. Wilson also shared a brief but encouraging message from world-renowned Dancehall artiste Sean Paul.
Afterwards, came the main event – the conferral of awards. With a full heart, Ms. Magnus awarded each of the five graduates with an Associate of Arts Degree in Music Performance. The graduates were Jonathan Gordon, Zuri Gordon, Alejandro Keating, Sanje Landell, and Matthew Reid. Following this, the Valedictorian, Jonathan Gordon, delivered a speech which recounted the highs and lows of his journey at Alpha. He humorously recalled experiences he shared with classmates and lecturers while also charting the gradual growth in his love for music and his decision to pursue it professionally. A special mention was made regarding Sanje who was the only student in the cohort who transitioned to ASOM from Alpha Vocational Training Centre. A momentous achievement in its own right.
Towards the end of the event, the class of 2025 recited the alumni pledge. With this pledge, students promised to continue exemplifying the Core Mercy Values in their actions and artistry in order to better serve their community and nation. Furthermore, they solemnly committed to “being ambassadors of our cultural heritage, showcasing the uniqueness of Jamaica and the Caribbean through our music and interactions.” We have no doubt that they will fulfill all of these things and more as they go out into the world and establish themselves as Jamaica’s next set of musical legends.
