NEGRIL, Westmoreland — A dynamic new era for Negril’s live music scene and youth education is officially underway, sparked by a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Negril Chamber of Commerce and Alpha School of Music. Designed to establish a comprehensive music programme across the area, the strategic partnership aims to revitalise music education, empower local teachers, and restore the resort town’s iconic live music culture.

To celebrate the milestone agreement, the two organisations hosted a free, high-energy community concert on July 26, at Drifter’s Bar on Norman Manley Boulevard. The beach came alive with performances aimed at planting the seeds for the next generation of instrumentalists, DJs, audio engineers, and music producers.

Members of the audience dancing up a storm, Sunday, during the Negril Free Concert held at Drifter’s Bar and Grill. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

“The Negril Chamber of Commerce is very proud to be partnering with the Alpha School of Music to assist in bringing back music education into Negril,” said chamber President Damian Salmon. “This is a great opportunity for many youth in a number of fields. We look forward to the concert and the ongoing relationship with Alpha for the benefit of the community.”

The Young Jamaica Ensemble from Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in Montego Bay showcased dynamic pop arrangements and youth talent while performing their ska segment during the July 26 concert in Negril.(Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

The showcase featured a vibrant mix of talent from across Jamaica, highlighting the power of collaboration. There was the Alpha Community Band out of Kingston which delivered signature pop ensemble energy and brass performances led by Band Director Peter Ashbourne. The Young Jamaica Ensemble from Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in Montego Bay entertained the crowd with dynamic pop arrangements and youth talent; while Royan Wallace, singer-songwriter and member of Alpha School of Music Class of 2026, performed original compositions. In addition, up-and-coming talent from Mount Airy Primary and Infant School were among the Calbert Brooks Student Drummers.

The event also highlighted cross-border educational support. Jason Sullivan, a lecturing professor on sabbatical leave from Troy University in Alabama, joined the initiative to research brass pedagogical methods. Finding strong parallels between resource-limited communities in rural Alabama and post-Hurricane Melissa Jamaica, Sullivan brought his specialised teaching methods to the country’s educators.

Owner of Drifter’s Bar and Grill Luddy Samuels greets some of the patrons who came out for the Negril Free Concert on Sunday, July 26.(Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

After leading a four-day brass seminar at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Sullivan was invited by the young Jamaican ensemble to join them on stage at the Negril concert.

“I’ve never played ska before,” he shared with the Jamaica Observer. “We had a rehearsal, and I was able to join them tonight… [They are] some wonderfully amazing musicians, and so it was great to not only work with them and teach them brass instruments, but then work with them and see them in their element. It was just great to share the stage with them.”

From left: Troy University music professor and visiting music instructor James Sullivan; president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce Damian Salmon; principal of Mount Airy Primary and Infant School Nichol Jackson; community advocate Vanessa Moore; and Alpha Music School’s Joshua Chamberlain thank audience members who came out for the Negril Free Concert.(Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Sullivan will remain in Jamaica through December, travelling across the island to train teachers, including educators at Mount Airy Primary School, on how to guide young students in mastering instruments.

Music teacher Calbert Brooks introduces students of Mount Airy Primary and Infant School during the Negril Free Concert.(Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

With strong support from sponsors including Drifters Bar, Charela Inn, Skylark Negril Beach Resort, Wisynco, Jamaica Nice, Myld and Mello Entertainment, and the People Bridge Foundation, the recent event is poised to be the first step in a vibrant new chapter for Negril.

“Bringing together musicians from Kingston, Montego Bay and Negril on one stage showed what is possible when communities invest in music,” said Ashbourne, director of Alpha Community Band at Alpha School of Music. “The enthusiasm of the audience and the collaboration among the performers made the concert a meaningful experience for everyone involved. We are grateful to the Negril Chamber of Commerce and partners for helping create an event that we hope is the beginning of a lasting tradition of music education and performance in Negril.”