MUSIC STUDENTS GIVE BACK TO THE JAMAICA CANCER SOCIETY
The University Chapel came alive with the sound of music performed by the High Achievers of the ABRSM Exams 2017, on Sunday, May 28, 2017. Musical talents from as early as seven years of age were on display to the excited audience filled with proud family members, friends, sponsors and the musical fraternity. Practice-A-Thon Jamaica, an initiative launched by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in partnership with the Jamaica Cancer Society, was established to encourage music students across Jamaica to become more disciplined in practising for their examinations whilst raising funds to benefit young people faced with cancer. This year Practice-A-Thon Jamaica raised Two Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven Dollars. Overall, the initiative has raised in excess of Half a Million Dollars for the Jamaica Cancer Societyʼs youth programme. Each year during the Month of February, the Society focuses on educating students across the island on the benefits of engaging in healthy lifestyle practices to minimize their risk to cancer with a special focus on the dangers of tobacco use, and so it was ideal that the Practice-A-Thon be held during the month of February. Much praise is to be bestowed on Mrs. Kathryn Lawson, Honourable Representative for the ABRSM in Jamaica for her commitment and dedication to developing the musical abilities of Jamaican students, and indeed the footprint of classical and other genres of music through the ABRSM. In her response to the success of the Practice-A-Thon, Mrs. Lawson shared, “This has been a win-win event. The students who participated have become more disciplined in their approach to practising their instrument(s). They have excelled in their examinations due to the consistency of their practice and have become better all-round musicians, whilst being sensitised to the needs of others and contributing to the work of the Jamaica Cancer Society”. Mrs. Yulit Gordon, Executive Director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, was very pleased with the results of the Practice-A-Thon. “The experience of having the students apply themselves to the art of practising for their exams while at the same time, developing a spirit of volunteerism and making a difference in the lives of other young people is absolutely awesome!”, shared an enthused Gordon. “NGOs like the Jamaica Cancer Society are built on the shoulders of volunteerism; they enable us to increase our capacity to achieve more. We are encouraged when young people like these musicians use their talents to fight cancer among their peers, it is extremely humbling”. The other High Achievers missing from the photos are Kobi Wilcott and Akira Hoo Sang.