A local businessman is giving kids the chance to follow the beat of their own drum.
Charles ‘Greg’ Gregory, owner of Hopscotch Recording Studios, recently donated professional music equipment to the music department of John Gray High School.
The kids were eager to see how the board works |
Gregory donated a mixing console to Music Technology teacher Philip Manyeh. On hand to witness the handover were son Javee Gregory, Hopscotch crew members Kevil and Alex Smith, various school officials and music students.
The mixing console being donated is a Midas Legend 3000 52 channel mixing board. The board is reportedly five years old and is worth about $60,000.
The board was hoisted into the school’s music room on the upper level of its assembly hall by a fork-lift operated by the Public Works Department.
A number of people worked behind the scene to get the donation literally off the ground. Among them were John Gray teacher Evelyn Rockett-McLaughlin and Permanent Secretary and Chief Officer in the Ministry of Education Angela Martins.
The equipment was given to aid the development of the school’s music department and foster the growth of local musicians.
Gregory said he is pleased to be able to assist.
‘I believe the more you give, the more you receive. I’m just glad to be in a position to do this donation.’
The plan is for the board to be installed at the school by the Hopscotch crew within the coming weeks. From there, additional equipment will be obtained to eventually create a semi-studio at the school.
The Hopscotch team is reportedly set to donate other utensils such as microphones and stands.
In addition the Cayman Islands Musicians Association is reportedly set to donate instruments such as keyboards.
All of these efforts were reportedly authorised months ago by school officials and the Ministry of Education.
Gregory said he intends to have a hands-on role with the project.
‘In the months ahead, I hope to go to the school and teach in the music department on a part-time basis. I’d like to instruct the kids on how to properly set-up and run a music studio,’ he said.
The Grand Cayman native also hinted at the possibility of having people in the local and international music scene – such as those seen in the annual Cayman Jazz Fest – assist with the endeavour.
Gregory has had previous experience working with the school. Hopscotch Studios is one of numerous companies currently involved with the school’s work experience initiative dubbed the ‘learning tree programme’.
The company has been involved in the three-month scheme for some three years. Gregory annually mentors a handful of children in the basics of music studio production.
Last year Gregory instructed four young men on the fundamentals of audio set-up at the studio, located at Sound Way Centre in George Town beside the Cayman Islands Humane Society.
By the end of the programme, the students were able to install and run a public announcer system.
Gregory explained his involvement comes from a personal desire to see more local youngsters in the music industry.
‘There are so many youngsters coming up now who need direction and discipline to make something of their lives.
‘I feel there must be at least one who has musical talent and could make it in the business.’
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