Rachel Jordan - for Haiti’s Holy Trinity School of Music

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Among the many losses at the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex in Port Au Prince was the Holy Trinity School of Music, the most well-established music school in Haiti. Founded in 1927 by the Sisters of St. Margaret, an Episcopal order of nuns based in Boston, Mass, Holy Trinity School educates both boys and girls. The music school was added in 1963, having since gained international recognition and acclaim. Its chamber and concert orchestra have toured the US many times. At the time of the devastating earthquake, there were more than1000 students at the music school while the primary school boast an enrollment of more than 1300 students.

In 1976, a trade school was added, giving many a chance to learn a useful trade in order to make their way in life. Some of the trades taught there were electronics, printing, plumbing, carpentry, and auto repair.

Dr. Jean Montes, the Director of Orchestral Studies at Loyola University New Orleans, devotes a considerable amount of his time to developing young musicians. In addition to his university post, Montes serves as Artist Director of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestras and leads musical programs for youth development in cities all over the world, including a return every summer to his place of origin. Growing up in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, Montès studied the cello at the Holy Trinity School of Music.

The school "gave me and many others the foundation we needed to be musicians and become valuable contributors on the world stage, lies in ruin. But the spirit of the school lives on. Now, more than ever, we can work together to make a positive impact in the lives of Haiti's young musicians" says Montes.

He adds, "While we are making efforts to rebuild the school, which was a cultural center for the performing arts in Haiti, we need to do something immediately to save lives and heal wounded souls through the power of music."

Rachel Jordan who serves as a Professor of Violin at Jackson State University and a member of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra in Houston, Texas has joined the effort to help Dr. Montez raise money and attain instruments says that "as an African-American musician, I am deeply devoted to the study and promotion of music, especially orchestral music.

"I would be remised as an artist if I did not do everything within my means to help these gifted young musicians of Haiti at the Holy Trinity School. They are asking for one of those old forgotten instruments somewhere in the attic.

"This effort provides something tangible that allows these children to keep music in their lives while also bringing comfort and support until the country is able to return to a sense of normalcy" adds Jordan.

A member of the famed Jordan family of musicians in New Orleans, Rachel understands first-hand the value of music and what it means to lose the ability practice the trade, particularly following Hurricane Katrina.

A testament to her commitment of reaching back, Jordan has developed string programs for inner-city youths in Boston, Mass and New Orleans; including serving as Camp Conductor for the New Orleans String Project's (NOSP) Summer Concert, a non-profit organization that teaches viola, cello and string bass to beginners, ages six through fourteen.

In a few weeks, Montes with the support of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (a 501.c3 nonprofit organization) will lead a small group of volunteers to Haiti for a three-day trip during which these instruments will be distributed to the music students who have survived the tragedy.

Specific instrument needed includes; woodwind, brass, strings, percussions, as well as musical supplies such as strings, rosin, reeds, book, solo & ensemble sheet music, and scores. Contributors are asked to place a legal-sized envelope with your name and address inside the instrument's case. We will take pictures of each student with their new instrument and send the picture to you.

"The values and lessons I learned while growing up in Haiti have made me the man, conductor, musician, and teacher I am today. I have always been dedicated to giving back and instilling hope in the youth of my homeland and I truly understand the needs and struggles that the young people encounter in the country. I believe that our efforts will bring hope, joy, and relief to these students and will make a valuable contribution toward a brighter future for the people of Haiti" concludes Montes.

GNOYO is requesting that donated instruments, supplies, or monetary contribution toward the purchase of these items be sent to the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestras, Attn: Haitian Youth Music Relief, 170 Broadway, Suite 229, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 by Monday, March 22, 2010.

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