The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a stellar performance during the recently held Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, young members of the Urban Renewal Youth Band are making their mark on the music scene. The group provided post race entertainment at the Survivors’ Recognition Ceremony, which is the flagship ceremony to honour and celebrate breast cancer survivors.

The band was formed as an Urban Renewal 2.0 crime prevention initiative. Sergeant Theodore Campbell, band coordinator said the group received positive feedback after the performance. He said the band is changing the lives of youth in various communities across Nassau.

“In 2012 I was transferred to the Urban Renewal as band coordinator for the entire Urban Renewal. There were about 75 members in the youth band. We held recruitment exercises in Centerville, Bain Town, Pinewood Gardens, and Kemp Road. We wanted to get youth from all communities involved to help them become better individuals and citizens of this country,” he told Tribune Entertainment.

To Sergeant Campbell, the group is much more than a marching band; it is programme seeking to develop young people from diverse communities. They hope to improve self-esteem and self-confidence, while promoting academic excellence and fostering a spirit of co-operation amongst youth.

The band also exposes young people to opportunities in the performing arts.

“There are so many opportunities that being involved in a band can bring as far as scholarships and academics are concerned. Some of our members see the benefit that they can get from their participation in the band. They may not want to study music professionally but they can use music as a way to get a scholarship to be whatever they want to be,” he said. 

Apart from musical skills Sergeant Campbell said participants also learn conflict resolution skills.

“From a disciplinary point they have been improving. Before joining the band some of them had serious problems with their behaviour. We are using the band as a way to discipline them,” said Sergeant Campbell.

“Now we are also working to improve their grades in school. Before, we did an assessment on the participants and before their involvement in the band most of them were making very low grade point averages like 0.00 and 1.00 averages. Seven months into the programme, their grade point averages have gone up.

We have teachers who dedicate their time to helping the students with home-work assignments and any school work they may have,” he said.

Sergeant Rolle said band members are involved in academic activities like math, computer, and English language classes.

Though the band currently has 399 members, coordinators are seeking more members.

Sergeant Campbell said the Royal Bahamas Police Force purchased $20,000 worth of instruments including trumpets, trombones, clarinets, saxophones, marching baritones, snare drums, bass drums and cymbals.  

“We want them to excel in everything, not only in music.”