FIRST ROW (L-R): Amayah Leader, Aaliyah Paul, Jonathan Hannah, Jaelah Maynard, Alliah Jean, Brooklynn Craker, Ariel Colston, and Isabella Thomas. Second row (L-R): Diana Ekpo, Karma Dickman, Vasty Travis Jean, Karis Amelia Jn Baptiste, Melenie Shelford, D’nysha Theophille, Aniyah Paul, and Melody Williams. Third row (L-R): Kerlan Jn Baptiste, Czakem-Hours George, Moriah Craker, Jazmyn Gumbs, Ramayah Leader, Kaden Dickman, Zaiden Norman, Amera Paul and Czade-Osiris George. Rear row (L-R): Jacob Mills, Tisha Francis, Tendaji Davis, Micah Vanterpool, Alyssa Ekpo, Angel-Rey Clark-Williams, Alannia Samuel, Chinaica Sloux Pierre, David Samuel, and A’zan Clark-Williams. Not shown: Gabrielle Baa, Shawntell Henry, Seanna Somersall, Jordan Prentice, Ahmori Colston, Uriah Samuel, and Edgar Anderson.
Recently, one of the weekly after-school sessions of the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra became a very special day for the 36-(TCA) member group. Thriving Charity Advocates donated $30,000 to Partners for Strings Inc. (PFS), the 501(c)(3) U.S. Virgin Islands organization that runs the youth orchestra program.
Partners for Strings Inc., established in 2020, launched this youth group to provide music as a tool to transform lives, specifically those who are at risk and/or underserved and under-resourced. Partners for Strings has been holding weekly sessions for youth, ages 6 to 17, at G-Clef Music Academy on St. Thomas since 2022.
The members learn how to read music and play the violin, cello, flute, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, trombone, steel pan, drums or other percussion instruments and participate in community performances.
A few of the members expressed to Thriving Charity Advocates their gratitude for Partners for Strings and why they love the program. Eleven-year-old Czade-Osiris George said, “It gives me the opportunity to play music and have fun.” Ten-year-old Kaden Dickman said, “I love how organized and good it sounds when everyone plays their part correctly.”
Nine-year-old Alyssa Ekpo agreed and said, “When we come together we make the best music and I like that everyone gets to play and have fun.” Nine-year-old Aniyah Paul concurred, “It’s fun to play, and when we perform it sounds good.” Nine-year-old Jacob Mills said, “I think when people hear our music it really inspires them to try to learn a new instrument.” Eight-year-old Jaelah Maynard summed it up by saying, “It’s great!
Thriving Charity Advocates LLC, an EDC beneficiary on St. Thomas, is led by award-winning music producers Wesley “Wes” Campbell and David Wagner. Wes Campbell, president of Thriving Charity Advocates, said, “It is a true privilege to offer this gift. We have enjoyed watching this program grow and are excited about the wonderful opportunities Partners for Strings provides for the children to excel in their music and share their talents with the community.”
Compliance Director of Operations for Thriving Charity Advocates Lauryl Knowles, who shared the organization’s mission with the youth orchestra members, said, “TCA impacts the forgotten, marginalized and poor by connecting artists, tours and live events with humanitarian organizations to leverage the stage and empower audiences to raise the funds necessary to change lives in a tangible way.”
Knowles was also joined by Thriving Charity Advocates’ Contract Administrator Kristine Galgay. The special presentation was captured digitally by another community partner, Rev. Kirk Barker, who is the pastor of the New Herrnhut Moravian Church.
Also attending the donation presentation were Partners for Strings (PFS) Board of Directors Gloria Gumbs, James H. Gumbs Jr., Kandis Gumbs and Priscilla Lynn, who were all elated to accept the donation.
PFS President Gloria Gumbs said, “We are very blessed to have a partnership with Thriving Charity Advocates because they are tangibly showing their support for the youth of the Virgin Islands. Their support is helping our members reach their potential.”
Kandis Gumbs is a recent Partners for Strings Board member. She brings her lifetime of music experience to the table, as a music educator, performer, award-winning songwriter, arranger and teaching artist.
Gloria Gumbs said, “We appreciate all of our partners who have helped us to grow and develop our youth orchestra, including our national Alliance Partner, Miami Music Project, located in Miami-Dade County. Other dedicated partners include G-Clef Music Academy, Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, VI Housing Authority, MSI Building Supplies, Street Level VI, 52 Studio Arts (NY) and 81C Arts (VI). We welcome more community partners to join in this mission to transform young lives in the U.S. Virgin Islands through music.”
The donation presentation gave Thriving Charity Advocates a teaser of the youth orchestra’s upcoming 2024 Christmas Concert and Taping. The members performed two selections that were conducted by Urbane Chinnery. This will be Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra’s third Christmas special. The theme for this year’s concert is “Christmas Dreams Can Come True.”
The mid-week Christmas Concert will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at VI Christian Ministries Church, located in Bolongo Bay at the bottom of Donkey Hill. The public is welcome; admission is free. The concert will start at 7 p.m.; the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The concert is being taped to air on WTJX-TV as a Christmas Day special.
For more information about the youth orchestra, how to join, and/or Christmas Concert details, visit www.partnersforstrings.org or call 228-1126.
