The University Chapel at The University of the West Indies (Mona) came alive on Sunday, November 16, 2025, with the Sound of Music produced by the High Scorers. High Scorers concerts are held worldwide wherever Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) exams are conducted. This enables top-scoring students to demonstrate their hard work to a wider audience and to give them the experience of public performance. These concerts also provide a forum for music teachers to enjoy the results of their dedication.

In attendance was British High Commissioner to Jamaica Alicia Herbert, her husband Daniel Doku, other distinguished guests, music teachers, proud family members and friends of the performing arts.

Kathryn Lawson, the honorary local representative for ABRSM, guided the evening’s proceedings, opening with the National Anthem followed by the observance of a minute’s silence to remember the thousands of persons affected by the destruction of Hurricane Melissa. Performances ranged from young beginners to the penultimate Grade 7. Outstanding renditions were heard on the piano, violin and that most wonderful of instruments – the human voice. To quote several members of the audience the evening was “a musical treat from beginning to end”.

The award for the Overall Highest Mark for Violin was presented to Chloe Case; Nathan Smith received the prize for the Highest Mark for Piano and Raphael Lewis the Highest Mark for Singing. They treated the audience to stellar performances.

Of note was the outstanding presentation by Steven Woodham’s Chamber Ensemble mostly comprised of High Scorers. The two musical selections performed were Besame Mucho by Consuelo Velaquez and Daylight at Solas Market composed by renowned music teacher Paulette Bellamy, who was in attendance and warmly acknowledged by the audience. Lawson was lauded for her dedication in developing the musical abilities of Jamaican students whether it be in classical or other genres of music through the ABRSM.

The audience was reminded about the Practice-A-Thon Jamaica initiative launched by Lawson several years ago in conjunction with the Jamaica Cancer Society. The initiative was established to encourage music students to become more disciplined in practising their instruments whilst raising funds for young people faced with cancer. The Practice-A-Thon has already donated close to $1 million to the Jamacia Cancer Society over the years. Unfortunately, the event was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it will, however, be relaunched in 2026.

The successful evening of musical excellence proved that classical music is alive and well in Jamaica.

From left: Chloe Case, highest scorer; Kathryn Lawson, ABRSM representative for Jamaica; British High Commissioner to Jamaica Alicia Herbert; Nathan Smith, highest mark for piano/highest grade.

High scorers pose with their instruments.