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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Former Minister of Education, the Hon. Alfred Sears takes a moment for a photo with a few students, teachers and administrators of the C.C. Sweeting Senior High School
(Photo by Edgar Arnette).
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Nassau, Bahamas - On Thursday, 6th November, 2014, the student body of C.C. Sweeting Senior High School received a much needed and well deserved donation to further enhance their Performing Arts Departments, specifically in the area of Music. Known for its musical prowess, the C.C. Sweeting Senior High School students were visibly absent from this year’s Battle of the Bands Competition that saw a face-off among high school bands. Mrs. Joan Gray, Principal of C.C. Sweeeting welcomed the former Minister of Education the Honourable Alfred Sears and all other invited guests. She thanked the former Minister profusely for his kind gesture and for regarding the need for instruments important enough to rally behind the clarion call and to acquire the instruments needed to sustain the music program at the school.
Northwestern District Superintendent, Mr. Howard Newbold, made it his business to ensure that it would be the last time that the C.C. Sweeting band students would be unable to participate in such an event due to a shortage of instruments. Committed to meeting the needs of the schools within his district, Mr. Newbold went on a vigorous search for instruments for the C.C. Sweeting band. After making requests from various sources, the former Minister of Education, the Honourable Alfred Sears, came to their rescue and committed to contributing the much needed instruments.
A display of the new instruments donated to the Music department of the C.C. Sweeting Senior High School by former Minister of Education, Hon. Alfred Sears
(Photo by Edgar Arnette).
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“Cultivating a Culture of Music through Community Partnership” was the theme for the special assembly and of course the day would be incomplete without musical performances by the students. The school’s band conducted by Mr. Kendal Humes led the prelude. The Brass Ensemble, Constables 3419 Brian Saunders and 3222 Daniel Saunders , along with Keron Stallings, Ramon Rolle and the school’s Pop Band entertained the guests and audience throughout the programme and such performances solidified the fact that the school is brimming over with musical talent.
The Honourable Alfred Sears said that he was quite delighted to be able to come to the aid of the C.C. Sweeting band and would have done whatever it took to ensure that the music students and band members would not be deprived of music competitions and events due to lack of instruments. He told the students that “music will not only encourage you to perform better in Mathematics but it is a vehicle for you to make a contribution to your society.” He cited that world renowned musician Carlos Santa recently recorded “Funky Nassau” a popular Bahamian song composed by Bahamians and now being recorded by acclaimed international artists. The former Minister of Education also alluded to the positive impact that music has on the economic growth and development of many countries. He mentioned the fact that the music industry pumped approximately $200 million into the Jamaican economy. He reminded those in the audience that the Bahamas also made its mark on the world stage and produced world class musicians. He encouraged the aspiring musicians, to always embody an attitude of excellence and to see some of our Bahamian artists as great examples of the quality of music we are capable of producing. He further went on to highlight the fact that the country’s “most important resource is not the foreign investor, but Bahamians and their creative imagination”.
Alumni of C.C. Sweeting, Constables 3419 Brian Saunders and 3222 Daniel Saunders performing at the special assembly and in whose honor the instruments were being donated (Photo Edgar Arnette).
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Also in attendance were Constables 3419 Brian Saunders & 3222 Daniel Saunders of the Royal Bahamas Police Force both alumni of C.C. Sweeting Senior High. Hon. Alfred Sears sang their praise and told the student body that the instruments were being donated in their honor as they were indeed musical ambassadors of their alma mater as well as their country. “This gift is in honour of the wonderful example of Brian and Daniel; you have made us proud.” He told the audience that he met the brothers while he was Minister and from the onset, he was impressed with their musical virtuosity and that he gave them the opportunity to showcase their talents. He noted that the musical foundation that the two officers received at C.C. Sweeting Senior High has afforded them many opportunities including traveling the world.
The Hon. Alfred Sears reminded the students of C.C. Sweeting that they had a lot to be proud of; they are two-time Basketball Champions title holders, and the current National Teacher of the Year hails from C.C. Sweeting, Ms. Nadia Smith. He emphasized that the school had a strong academic program, encouraged vocational programs and encompassed a solid school based learning program.
As he concluded his remarks, the former Minister of Education assured the students that “today is only the beginning of our collaboration” and thanked individuals within the Fort Charlotte Constituency who helped to raise the funds and purchase the instruments namely: Andrea Jenoure, Greer Cartwright, Donald Moxey, and Barrington Carter.
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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