ST Joseph’s Teachers College in Kingston is the new venue for the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica’s (NYOJ) concert dubbed ‘Melodies of Empowerment on Sunday’. Showtime is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

The concert, originally planned for Emanicapation Park in New Kingston on May 26, was postponed due to heavy rains that brought the proceedings to a halt just minutes into the programme. More than 200 students from 50 different schools were set to perform along with artistes Naomi Cowan, Niala Dei, Jamilla Falak, and Gabeana Campbell.

Andrae Woolock, NYOJ’s acting executive director, said moving the concert indoors is to avoid a repeat of what happened at the initial concert.

“We want to allow everyone to comfortably enjoy the melodic experience without fear of being wet. Weather forecast has shown that there is a strong possibility of experiencing rain on the new date for the event, as such we are taking the necessary precautions to avoid any mishaps,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “Overall we plan to have a successful concert and we invite everyone from the general public to come and enjoy the Melodies of Empowerment as we celebrate our 10th year of serving Jamaica in which focus on developing youths through classical music. We hope to continue to serve all those that we can and continue to ‘shape lives through music’.”

The acting executive director said based on the date change, the line-up had to be tweaked.

“Majority of the programme for the concert will remain the same except for two items, which will not be performed due to the unavailability of the performers,” said Woolock. “Naomi Cowan is one such performer, she is now currently on tour aboard. She will not be able to perform her selection of Paradise Plum with the Orchestra. In addition, we had members of the Global Leaders Program, who were here assisting with inspiring and teaching students. They were scheduled to perform as well at the concert, but will not be able to do so as they had to return to their respective countries. We will, however, be filling these slots with additional exciting musical renditions so as to not short our audience based on the musical experience that was promised.”

Started in 2009, NYOJ is a non-profit organisation that aims to foster musical growth in Jamaica through the use of classical music as a tool to inspire, empower and enhance the lives of at risk youth on the island. Their centres are located across the island, bringing together youth from various schools and economic backgrounds.