Maples Group Continues Support of Music Programme at BVI High School
The Maples Group is proud to announce the donation of a 55-piece steel band with accessories as part of its continued support of the music programme at the Elmore Stoutt High School (“ESHS”) in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”).
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The new steel pans, which were built in Trinidad, will be used by students of ESHS’ Steel Orchestra at various performances throughout the school year. An official handover ceremony took place on Friday, 24 September 2021 with students, members of Government, the Virgin Islands Recovery & Development Agency (“RDA”) and the Maples Group in attendance.
The donation is part of an ongoing partnership between the Maples Group and the RDA, an agency that was formed to assist with the extensive damage to the Virgin Islands following the 2017 hurricanes. Over the past three years, the Maples Group’s partnership has supported the development of new classrooms at ESHS and has included the donation of 103 new musical instruments .
BVI Managing Partner, Richard May attended the handover ceremony of the steel pans and commented, “The Maples Group is delighted to continue its support of the music programme at Elmore Stoutt High School and their work to develop and nourish a passion for music in the youth.”
The Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Honourable Natalio Wheatley said he is moved by the commitment of the Maples Group in supporting music education in the territory. Speaking at the ceremony last Friday, he remarked on the past musical achievements of young Virgin Islanders and added, “Do not take for granted what music can do for you. Music can take you far beyond the shores of the BVI, it can take you around the world and it can give you scholarships. Take care of the instruments, these resources are here for you to meet your ambitions and become well-rounded students.”
Vanessa Garraway, Principal at ESHS stated, “We take pride and boast heavily about our music programme which is second to none in our territory and it is always a joy when we get new resources that can enhance our programme even more. Today’s ceremony highlights the importance of community assistance in ensuring that we can partner together to move our school one step closer to excellence.”
Maxine Stewart, Head of Finance at the RDA remarked, “The RDA remains committed to the delivery of projects under the mandate of the Government of the Virgin Islands. As we press forward with additional school and recreation projects, we encourage other firms, organisations and individuals to step forward with the same level of commitment, all critical to the future of our young people, the most important resource of the BVI.
In 2019, the Maples Group donated $100,000 to support the construction of the music classrooms along with the procurement of musical instruments. In 2020, additional donations of $12,500 and $28,000 for, respectively, classical musical instruments and the steelpan band were made. The Group’s total contribution toward ESHS’ music programme currently totals $140,500.