December brought with it another staging of the Alpha Christmas Festival which showcased the musical talents of individuals from the Alpha School of Music (ASOM) while also featuring performances by the Alpha Vocational Training Centre (AVTC), the Alpha Community Band, and the Young Jamaica Ensemble. Since the school’s opening in 2021, ASOM’s reputation has continued to grow locally and internationally and this was well evidenced by the sheer size of the night’s audience. Persons, young and old alike, came out in their numbers (perhaps the most that an ASOM concert has seen thus far), to watch the young musicians play their hearts out while being assessed by their lecturers.
The night began with two sets of performances by ASOM and AVTC students under the direction of Clayon Samuels (Senior Music Instructor, ASOM) and Winston “Sparrow” Martin (Alpha’s past student-turned legendary musician). These included a powerful drum solo from an AVTC young man and featured compositions by Mr. Samuels as well as better known hits such as Ska Nice and I Can. Afterwards, the audience was treated to an unexpected performance by the Young Jamaica Ensemble (one of Jamaica’s largest and most renown symphonic wind ensembles). The Ensemble, which usually puts on a highly-anticipated Christmas concert in the parish of St. James, was unable to continue this annual tradition this year due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa in the Western part of the island. As such, Alpha invited them to participate as special guest performers at Alpha’s own Christmas concert. The Ensemble roused the crowd with classic seasonal songs such as Sleigh Bells and the Jamaican Irie Christmas.
The Alpha Community Band continued the festive theme with performances of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Silver Bells, The Christmas Song and more. Another standout set was done by ASOM’s upcoming graduating class who performed two completely original songs (Alpha Cadence and Origi ‘ Geh) which they composed themselves! In true Alpha fashion, the remainder of the evening’s music reflected various genres – from Reggae, to Jazz to Dancehall. As has now become a beloved tradition, the school’s Caribbean Music Ensemble ended the night with crowd-pleasers from Latin America such as Vida Mi Vivir and La Gozadera. Led by Ricardo Diaz (ASOM Technology Coordinator), the group got the audience on their feet to dance in the Alpha Courtyard in a joyous performance.
This was yet another concert which created cherished memories for audience members while flying the name of Alpha high.
