Nassau, Bahamas – RBC Royal Bank recently provided sponsorship for the 5th Annual Summer Music Camp & Mentoring Program beginning July 23rd, 2012. RBC has supported this program from its inception and is pleased to once again partner with the Summer Music Camp. To date the program has impacted the lives of young musicians, allowing them to be directly mentored by outstanding local and international music industry professionals.
“In addition to social and education programs, RBC’s support of the music and arts is an important component of RBC’s commitment to youth development in The Bahamas,” said Mr. Nathaniel Beneby, Market Head, Personal Banking in The Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands. “Research has confirmed the importance of music programs to youth development. Music programs teach discipline, inspire teamwork and foster an appreciation for the arts.”
The Summer Music Camp & Mentoring Program was launched in 2008 when the program selected a number of young Bahamian male students to visit the Washington Jazz Arts Institute. The young men participated in an intense training program at the Institute. In 2010 the program was localized and an even wider group of young Bahamians were given the opportunity to attend an annual summer camp in Nassau, Bahamas where they could interact with and learn from world class musicians and instructors. The main goal of the program is to mentor students who have an interest in music and the creation of music. The program exposes them to a cadre of musical experiences that will further develop their national cultural identity.
Roscoe Dames, Founder/Director, Summer Music Camp & Mentoring Program expressed his gratitude to RBC for its support in these words:- “what RBC’s support demonstrates is their commitment to not only giving back to the community, but to reaching out to organizations that share their commitment to the cultural and artistic development of our young people. Through this partnership, we will continue to uplift our young people and expose them to opportunities which will positively affect their personal growth and development”.
In addition to the musicianship, participants of the Summer Music Camp & Mentoring Program will learn about the actual business of music, music management and the intricacies of the music industry. Two new components of the 2012 Summer Music Camp & Mentoring Program are the provision for disabled musicians to participate in the program and the introduction of an audio engineering course.
The 5th Annual Summer Music Camp will begin on July 23rd, 2012 at Bahamas Harvest Church, Prince Charles Drive. The program culminates with an evening of live entertainment featuring students and instructors. The general public is invited to attend the concert.
Submitted By Jan Knowles
Caption: 2011 Attendees of Summer Music Camp & Mentoring Program during final camp performance. (Nassau, Bahamas)
