The inaugural graduating class of the Alpha School of Music: (from left) percussionist Sanje Landell; keyboardist Matthew Reid; violinist/vocalist Zuri Aiko Gordon; bass guitarist Alejandro Keating; and Valedictorian drummer/percussionist Jonathan Gordon.
The first cohort of the Alpha School of Music (ASOM) graduated on May 29, having started at ASOM in 2021.
The five graduates — drummer/percussionist Jonathan Gordon; bass guitarist Alejandro Keating; violinist/vocalist Zuri Aiko Gordon; percussionist Sanje Landell; and keyboardist Matthew Reid — are the first to complete a visionary curriculum in which students may concentrate on performance or music technology. They are now holders of associate degrees of Arts in Music Performance.
At the ceremony, held in the Sister Ignatius Hospitality Room on Alpha’s 26 South Camp Road campus, they were celebrated by the faculty, their families and well-wishers.
In her address to the graduates and well-wishers, Director of Music Gay Magnus shared: “When the Sisters of Mercy launched the Alpha school of music in 2021, it was on the shoulders of 129 years of music education on this campus. The hope was that this new generation of Alpha musicians, the new Alpharians would take up the baton, and continue the legacy of innovation and excellence,” she said. “I believe we can safely say that hope was well-placed and that this first cohort will indeed be good ambassadors for brand Alpha.”
Valedictorian Jonathan Gordon
The two-year Associate Degree in Music Performance at the Alpha School of Music is the only tertiary programme for ensemble performance in Jamaica. Alpha also offers two pre-qualifying years of instruction for students who do not have the requisite knowledge to enter the Associate Degree programme.
Formal training is not required for admission and prospective students can audition on guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and keyboards. Once accepted, all students focus on building a foundation in music theory and ear-training, and are introduced to best practices in music production and recording as well as the principles of music business.
In his commencement address, Steve Wilson — artiste manager, music professional, author and mentor to the graduating class — used a Tiwa Savage song, Keys To The Kingdom, to inspire the new graduates to trust their Alpha training.
“When you do encounter challenges, and you will,” he said, “I encourage you to reflect on your journey at Alpha to be reminded that you have the tools and the ability to not just believe in yourself but be yourself, your best self and live a life best described by the Alpha motto – Upward & Onward.”
Artiste manager Steve Wilson delivers an interactive commencement speech. Wilson also delivered a masterclass to Alpha students during the school year.
Wilson closed out with an encouraging personal message to the graduates from multi-award-winning global recording artiste Sean Paul.
Valedictorian Jonathan Gordon, described as a virtuoso on drums, easily set hearts pattering with his stirring words.
“I felt like a dunce because I did not read music at that time, but it was also the same time I appreciated the [Alpha] ensemble,” he said, praising the shared group learning experience for the entire cohort. “[My classmates and I] clapped the riddims together as an ensemble. The [catchphrase] we always do, ‘TAH!’, it comes from that and that was one of our greatest moments,” Gordon told an appreciative audience.
The Sandy Park resident had different visions for himself after leaving Mona High School as a star footballer with interest from international clubs. He recounted that the choice to stay in Jamaica and go to school at Alpha was a difficult one because he would have to give up something that he was very good at, to start a new career in music where his chances for success were far from guaranteed.
He admitted how he entered the Alpha School of Music without formal training and initially felt out of place but the Alpha ensemble, or band format, made him comfortable and confident.
“On the first day I felt doubtful, confused, and nervous, and on the last day I feel hopeful, elevative, and victorious,” he said.
Zuri AikoAoki Gordon, the first woman to graduate from Alpha School of Music, remembered passing through the gates with anticipation of what was to come.
“The first day of school was a little bit scary, very exciting, and hopeful. As the only girl there, I’m setting history… I heard about the Skatalites and Alpha, so that was really cool,” she said.
Zuri Aiko aims to create her own brand as a singing artist and a musician armed with a deeper musical understanding.
While violin is her principal instrument at Alpha, Gordon added other instruments to her repertoire and learned how to incorporate her instrument in brand new formats.
“I was really able to delve into building my understanding of music and playing with a[pop] band. With the violin, it’s usually an orchestra or solo. Coming to the school really opened me up to playing in a band with bass, drums and a piano. I just got more experience and now I can play on the road with different types of musicians.”
The Alpha School of Music was officially opened four years ago after the conversion of the dormitories of the Alpha Boys’ School into a state-of-the-art music education institution with crucial sponsorship from the Digicel Foundation, American Friends of Jamaica, People Bridge Foundation, Tourism Enhancement Fund, Sean Paul Foundation and others.