Omar Brown blows a few notes from the clarinet.

While its more popular neighbour, William Knibb Memorial High School is in the news from a track and field perspective (as Usain Bolt's alma mater), Trelawny's Holland High is looking to make some 'noise' of its own.

This is with the new instruments the school received from the CHASE Fund about a year ago. Auditions were held earlier this year for the new pop band, and students who had more hands-on experience with the instruments were chosen. At a dedication ceremony at the school, the wider community got the chance to hear the new equipment in action.

Joseth Kerr, music teacher at Holland High School in Trelawny. - photos by Robert Lalah

The band programme was previously centred around old pianos (which aren't quite tuned) and the recorder group. Music teacher Joseth Kerr said at times she even had to borrow some equipment to complement what they had. But with the new stuff, including a bass guitar, tenor and alto saxophones and a keyboard, there are now big plans for the music programme.

"I hope to be able to enter them into school compe-titions and maybe a few years time, introduce the CXC music syllabus," she said. But this is more than just a music story. The volume and quality of the music is not the only thing being raised, as the spirits of the students have also hit high notes.

"They (the students) are excited. When they hear the music, they come down here and listen and they still want to join the band. Even with the 'troubled' boys, the music pulls them in and they'll say to me, 'Miss, mi tink mi woulda try a likkle sumting'," Kerr recalled. Almost on cue, a group of students on their way to class poked their heads in to see their schoolmates 'dropping riddims'. The interest in the choir has also increased and the collaborations with the band are now eagerly anticipated.

New-look band

Asaph Mitchell is the resident drummer. - Contributed

For now, the new-look band consists of keyboards, bass and drums. But when the wind and brass instruments join in (like the saxophones), the number goes up to eight. Right now, it's all boys, but Kerr said she planned to have another audition in February where girls may make the grade.

Kerr said she would like some other instru-ments, including a flute and trombone. She also expressed hope for possible expan-sion of the music room and more finger charts to help more students learn to read music.

She would also like to see older students get the chance to study music as, right now, the classes don't go beyond grade nine.

daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com