Programme offering assistance to musically inclined children

The Headstart Music Programme has received a considerable financial boost with a $20, 000 donation from the Never Lose Your Drive Foundation, an organisation started by renowned Barbadian-born saxophonist Elan Trotman. The presentation was staged on Saturday evening at Harrison College’s Crumpton Street, St Michael compound, the home base for the programme. 

This passion project, which   was conceptualised by Trotman, enables children from 8 years to 11 years old to have access to a free music education on an instrument of their choice provided by the programme. 

The contribution was generated from the recently staged Barbados Jazz Excursion, their major fundraising effort which ensures the continuation of the programme. That three-day concert series featured internationally renowned artistes including Marcus Thompson and regional standouts Trinidadian Vaughnette Bigford.  Through silent auctions and the golf tournament, the foundation was able to surpass its financial target. 

Through this initiative participants are tutored by some of the island’s premier musicians. Among the high calibre teaching complement are Andre Woodvine on saxophone, Kweku Jelani on trumpet, Farakhan Stephens on percussion and flute virtuoso Dexter Norville. 

The presentation opened with welcome remarks delivered by Programme Director and clarinet instructor David Weatherhead. In his address Trotman, the founder of the foundation shared: “My heart is still in Barbados, I was given a national development scholarship in 1998 which allowed me to go to college in Boston and have a free education, and I decided to become a music teacher. That was one of the reasons I started this programme to give back to Barbados, to give people an opportunity to play an instrument.” 

Trotman wants to give participants an avenue through which they can express their creativity. He noted: “Art is an expression, it is an opportunity to be yourself, to be unique.”

Trotman extended thanks to the Barbados Community College where the initial sessions were hosted when the programme commenced in 2016. In addition to the monetary contribution, the programme has also benefitted from the donation of some additional instruments including clarinets, an alto sax, saxophone, flute and drum pads. He stated that many people had helped the programme to stay alive.  

Trotman encouraged the budding musicians to continue their artistry even when they advanced to secondary school and then to college. He advised: “Do not forget to give back and give it to the next person so that the next generation can also have access to music.”

In this spirit of benevolence, a donation was also made to talented saxophonist Daniel Harvey. Clearly moved by the magnitude of the moment, an emotional Trotman made the presentation to the first recipient of the Headstart Music Scholarship. The young musician who was selected as a standout among his peers in a talent contest hosted during the Barbados Jazz Excursion, will be attending the Berklee School of Music Aspire Summer Music Intensive. He has received a scholarship from the institution which will cover his tuition fees. He was presented with a cheque for $12, 000 which will cover his travel arrangements, meals and his room and board for the duration of the trip to the college for the five-week programme. 

Harvey was truly appreciative of the opportunity. He recalled the moment when Trotman made the surprise announcement about the scholarship. “It was a really an amazing moment for me because it was always my dream to go to that school but obviously because of money and things of that nature it would have been a bit difficult to pursue that dream.” 

Among those in attendance was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight. 

All the students who were on hand for the presentation were each gifted a backpack. 

Currently slots are available for the programme and registration can be done on the Never Lose your Drive website. 

(STT)