USVI Students Wow Audience During ‘Sounds Of The Virgin Isles’

On Wednesday evening the Fort Christian Museum came alive with “Sounds of the Virgin Isles”, a musical event organized by the Office of Senator Janelle Sarauw and the Department of Education.

According to a release issued by Ms. Sarauw’s office, the night started with an exciting live auction/cocktail hour. Students from a variety of public schools gave spectators an exuberant performance that covered authentic Virgin Islands music, musicians, composers and dances from past to present, the release said.

The honoree of the evening, Lorna L. Freeman, also surprised the audience with her own short performance of “Rise Up”, which brought the crowd to a standing ovation, according to the release.

“I would like to thank the Department of Education, our instructors, and especially Ms. Dionne Donadelle for working with the students on putting together a fantastic performance,” said Ms. Sarauw. “Our students really came out and performed engaging renditions that was simply captivating.”

The audience got to see and hear renditions from Ulla F. Muller Elementary School, Joseph Gomez Elementary School, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and Charlotte Amalie High School that graced the audience with a Spectrum Band Tribute; Imagination Brass Tribute, VI Nice, the Virgin Islands March, and Lorna Freeman Tribute among other performances. The were also dance performances from the Bamboula Dancers, and Anansi storytelling by Yohance Henley.

Ms. Sarauw said she hopes the event will help fund and build a stronger presence for the music and arts programs in the public schools, according to the release. “We would like to also thank the community for coming to support our youth and to everyone that made the event a success,” Ms. Sarauw said.