Schools celebrate Black History Month with Calypsonian Alexander D Great

Southampton and IOW Music Hubs are celebrating Black History Month with Calypsonian, musician and educator, Alexander D Great. Thanks to exciting new digital resources, children and young people will gain a fascinating insight into the music of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as an understanding of Alex’s experiences growing up as part of the Windrush Generation.

Each set of videos features performances of Alex’s unique Calypso songs; storytelling in the Griot style; historical background to Windrush, and the origins of Calypso; as well as help for schools to compose their own calypso music. These digital resources are available for all schools in the region, with versions suitable for ages 5–18 years old.

During the month of October, Alex will also be visiting the Isle of Wight, thanks to a collaboration with hub partners The New Carnival Company and the Isle of Wight Heritage team. On Wednesday 14 October 2020, will be performing and speaking about his experiences at an evening event in Brading Roman Villa .  

Also, in February 2021. Southampton and IOW Music Hubs will follow up this resource with a Calypso writing project, led again by Alexander. This will focus on writing songs telling pupil’s own stories from lockdown and the lasting effects of Covid-19 in their lives.  

Nia Collins, Music Hub Relationship Manager, says:
“Alex is such an incredible polymath and I can’t wait for them to enjoy his colourful evocations of the past and present through songs and storytelling. His enthusiasm and engaging style will no doubt captivate pupils’ imaginations and inspire their creative responses. As part of the recovery curriculum this year it is vital that we give pupils the space for self-expression and to rebuild their relationships with each other through shared experiences while still safely offering them the same high quality opportunities we always have which I believe this project does”