After the closure of Alpha Boys’ Home in Kingston in 2014, the institution went through a transformation and became the Alpha Institute.

Today, Alpha Institute, from its South Camp Road location, offers vocational training to vulnerable boys as well as an associate degree in music performance that is offered to young males and females at the Alpha School of Music.

The administrators of the School of Music are inviting young men and women who are interested in pursuing a musical career in to apply.

Director of music and band master, Gay Magnus told the Jamaica Observer in a recent interview that the associate degree is focused on band music because musicians are needed very often in international groups.

“The degree is called Associate Degree in Music Performance. We have two focuses. You can either focus on instrument performance or music production. A lot of people don’t realise that there are hundreds of Ska bands, so we train people in Ska here. There is a historical connection with Alpha and Ska. Most of the original members of the Skatelites band were Alpha boys. The Skatalites were very influential in the development of Ska. If it is one thing you are going to learn at Alpha, is how to play Ska. There are options available internationally in Ska bands.”

“Our main focus is on ensemble music and I have seen a lot of growth in the students in their performances and in their ability to function in a band as band members and produce music as a group. Their exams are in the form of concerts. The standards of the different bands are pretty good, considering that we have only been operating for two years, which would mean that we are doing something right. Industry members, professionals have been observing us and have made similar comments,” a proud Magnus said.

The requirements for people interested in applying, are that they must have Math and English at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate ( CSEC) or City and Guilds.

“What we really test is your ability on the instruments. We test your musical readiness and see how much formal training you have in things like reading music notation. We test your ear to see how well you can hear and analyse music. From that, we would determine if you can go straight into the associate degree or if you need to do one or two prequalifying years. What we have here, I don’t know of any other school in Jamaica that has it, especially our music technology lab.

“Our courses are focused on Jamaican and Caribbean music and Jazz. We do Mento, Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae.

“You will come out here well-rounded. We also offer courses like sound system performance. We are the first school on the planet to offer a course in sound system. We actually have a sound system here and the students get to operate the sound system and learn about history. Our last concert, our students had a tune for tune clash. We also have music technology course,” Magnus said.

According to Magnus, students who have already gone through the programme, have become very confident in themselves.

“I have seen a lot of growth in their ability to play the instruments. They are not only playing better, but also in terms of their interpersonal growth. There is a lot of confidence. Some students came in quite reserved and they can perform comfortably in front of an audience. One of the things we do is carry them to the professional music studios to get studio experience so when they leave here, they already know what it is like to be in the studio. We also make the people at the professional studios in Kingston aware of our students so that when they leave, they have options.”

Senior music instructor, Clayon Samuels, said that no other school in Jamaica offers the kind of courses that Alpha School of Music offers.

“This is the only institution that offers that in Jamaica,” he said.