TCI: Sandals Foundation Donates Music Instruments

#Providenciales, September 20, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Students of the Clement Howell High School were recently able to showcase their newly purchased musical instruments courtesy of The Sandals Foundation –the charitable arm of Sandals and Beaches Resorts through funds donated from the 2016 Story Behind the Songs concert hosted at Beaches Resorts.

The big reveal comes in the heels of the two year anniversary of the concert which raised $8,610.00 to benefit local projects and institutions within the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Clement Howell High School was the beneficiary of those funds in support of the school’s music program.

In 2017, the foundation officially made the donation to the school; however the 2017 hurricanes delayed the purchase and arrival of those items. Last week, the school’s principal Kadean Cunningham and music teacher, Garfield Gurley revealed the new equipment which included saxophones, guitars, violins, pianos and trombones.

Public Relations Manager for Beaches TCI, Elanor Krzanowski commented; “Clement Howell High School music program under the direction of Mr. Girley is home to some of the most talented students in the country,” She said.  “As a passionate supporters of the arts and we look forward to personally experiencing the impact this gift of music will have on the development of student and their talents at the school.”

Principal Kadean Cunningham said the new equipment will help in boosting the school’s music programs; “We’re really excited about the instruments we have received from Beaches. We have always wanted to start a school orchestra or a band and acquiring the instruments were the main challenges we had, so when Beaches and Sandals graciously accepted to provide assistance, we were really excited about that.”

Cunningham further noted, “This is really an asset to us, it is something that we definitely will put to good use.”

Garfield Gurley- Music Teacher at Clement Howell noted; “We are extremely happy for the instruments. These instruments will now enhance the musical program at Clement Howell. Soon you’ll be seeing the marching band and other bands at the school because now we have the resources and we say thank you to Beaches.”

Wendy Janka-Fourth Form student at CHHS said he was excited to see more variety added to the school program; “I really love it, it’s really going to help students to learn music and now we’ll be able to practice and get better.”

Kendly Smigh,  a Fifth-former noted; “With these instruments we will be able to perform at more events. Before with a small amount of equipment, we could only take a certain amount of students, now more people can learn how to play.”

Beaches Resorts welcomed country music fans from September 23-26, 2016 for the Story Behind the Songs concert featuring country music artists Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann and Dylan Scott. The concert was part of the Sandals Resorts International’s new LIV + Events program, which offers vacationers unique limited-edition events. Story Behind the Songs was a partnership with Premiere Networks which showcases intimate acoustics performances from top music artists. The event was hosted by award-winning Country radio and CMT personality Cody Alan.