EMDB
www.ecolemusiquejacmel-haiti.org
Ecole de musique Dessaix - Baptiste, Jacmel, Haiti
I am reproducing below the school's vision and mission. These words were written by Janet Anthony, of Blume Haiti (www.blumehaiti.org), George and Marjorie Olsen Chandler Professor of Music at Lawrence University. Janet has been teaching, performing and conducting in Haiti since 1996. In that time, over fifty Lawrence University students and faculty colleagues have travelled to teach in some of the many music programs with which she has been involved. She has also facilitated the travel of Haitian music teachers and students to the United States for short - term professional development. This is what Janet has to say about EMDB:
" The Dessaix-Baptiste Music School was created in 1996 in Jacmel, Haiti with the specific goal of offering an alternative to the youth of the community and surrounding areas to help steer them away from drugs, violence, prostitution, gangs and towards art and culture in all its forms (music, literature, painting, dance, etc). With the assistance of the Haitian Ministry of Finance and national and international institutions and organizations such as UNESCO, FOKAL, the European Union, French Cooperation in Haiti, the Embassy of Japan, Help for the Children, Canada, the Ministry of Culture, the Barbancourt Foundation and others, the music school was able to renovate and lease an old house near the city center that includes some rehearsal space and a 300 seat auditorium.
Today, more than 1,200 students attend the music school, most coming from a very disadvantaged background and unable to pay even the very small monthly fee of 6.50 USD. Of these, approximately 300 children are living in very difficult economic circumstances.
The school also welcomes street children and those living in tent cities. Through music education, the school hopes to promote the cognitive, social and emotional development of all its students and to help reintegrate those living on the margins back into society.
There are four bands, two orchestras, two jazz bands and instruction is offered in all band / orchestra instruments and piano. The school has organized 14 summer camps since its inception, many of which have benefited from the presence of volunteer teachers from the United States, France, Canada and Cuba. The main project of the school, however, is to create a School of the Arts and Culture for this city of Jacmel and surrounding areas. This institution will train the youth of the region in a set of artistic and cultural activities including music, dance, sculpture, painting and handicrafts. Land has been acquired for this purpose and plans have been drawn up but we do not yet have the necessary funding to break ground on any of the buildings.
The school routinely welcomes community
members to its concerts and recitals – these are often presented to a packed
auditorium."
... when lucky me gets to Jacmel, kids will be in their third and final week of their summer camp. I imagine that the place will be absolutely chaotic but buzzing with creative activities and serious learning! I am very much looking forward to being there. I do not imagine for one second that I will be able to work as an accountant in my first week but I have offered my services as a gofer for whatever requires to be done: meal / playtime monitor, copier of sheet music, snack prepping etc...
PS - Janet does not teach just at EMDB, I gather that she teaches all over Haiti!
