The University Singers UK Tour Report

Background Over the years it has become customary for the University Singers to participate in tours during the summer period, some based on invitation others self planned.

From the summer of 2009 it was suggested that a tour be proposed for 2010, with suggestions being put forward for the Eastern Caribbean (particularly Trinidad & Tobago), Florida in the United States and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom was chosen as the preferred destination following discussions with the Musical Director and late Artistic Director.

This was suggested as the Choir’s last tour to the UK was in 1997, thirteen years prior.

media appearances and any other activity which would advance the process of attaining our goals on the trip.

Upon confirmaton of the tour Ambassador Joy Wheeler of the Embassy of Jamaica in Berlin invited the choir to perform as part of the independence celebrations in that city. We were limited to a group size of 23 for that leg of the tour.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship was arranged to be a collaborative effort between the event coordinator and the University Singers.

Locally the following were approached for sponsorship/funding: • The CHASE Fund • Jamaica National Building Society A theme was chosen to reflect the goals we • National Commercial Bank were seeking to achieve by undertaking this • Ministry of Tourism tour. The theme was “Connecting with the • Jamaica Tourist Board Diaspora: Building Bridges through Music”.

• Ministry of Youth, Culture & Sports • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The choir sought the assistance of the Foreign Trade Jamaican High Commission in London • Office of the Prime Minister which was approached to partner with • Swift Cash us on this tour. It was later decided that • Moneygram an external event coordinator should be • Grace Kennedy Remittance Services/ engaged to undertake the arrangements Western Union in the UK. Romord Lindsay of Quizzard • British Airways Entertainment/Quiz Media was chosen for • Virgin Airlines this role.

• UWI Vice Chancellor’s Office • UWI Mona Campus Principal The Organisers were mandated to arrange • The British Council/British High performances in London, Birmingham, Commission Manchester Leicester and/or Nottingham.

They were also to arrange promotional

The University Singers with Georgette Naanning, District Manager, British Airways, at the Norman Manley International Airport prior to departure for the UK.

From the UK the following were to be targeted for sponsorship: • Jamaica National Overseas UK • The Birmingham City Council • The Makers of Taboo Energy Drink • Grace Kennedy (Grace Foods UK) • Pepsi • Coca Cola

Sponsorship support recieved

other non-cash support offered.

• Birmingham City Council - £3000.

Used for the booking of the Adrian Boult Hall and accommodation in Birmingham.

• Jamaica Tourist Board, Berlin provided airfare travel between London and Berlin. Cost unknown.

• The British High Commission hosted the group prior to departure and offered a contribution of $80,000.

• British Airways offered all tickets at US$1000.00 a discount of US$275 per standard ticket. Additionally a Technical and other non-cash support baggage waiver was offered on 10 • Jamaica Tourist Board provided public pieces of luggage at US$50 each way. relations support in London through Total package of US$10,075.00 its agency.

• Vice Chancellor’s Office £4,000 • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and • UWI Mona Principal’s Office Foreign Trade provided diplomatic £20,000 support with the British High • Jamaica National Overseas UK Commission and arranged Schengen £7500. The final financial sponsorship Visas for the group travelling to from JNOUK was higher based on Berlin.

Issues with event managers Three days prior to departure, the event manager Quiz Media through its principal Romord Lindsay, became difficult to access by phone or email. A number of areas which were supposed to be confirmed we discovered were not, though we were in contact and making arrangements relating to technical matters. Most of these issues came to light as a result of monies not being paid. Among the issues were: • Fairfield Hall requesting payment to confirm venue. £1000 was transferred to the venue to confirm.

• The Martin Harris Centre, Manchester cancelled event • Camden Centre threatened to cancel.

(Payments made on arrival by JN) • Albert Hall Nottingham threatened to cancel. (Payment made by JN) • Deposits on accommodation unpaid.

• Sponsorship: No sponsor, except Birmingham City Council, was confirmed. Had to have emergency meetings and telephone conversations with Jamaica National to secure their sponsorship.

• No ground transport had been booked up to Wednesday July 21 After having discussion with the choir we departed knowing there would be some challenges and that we were heading out with some amount of uncertainty.

Nadia Roxburgh, our technical manager, who had travelled prior to the group, had done a bit of work to ensure that we would have accommodation and the first performances were arranged.

Upon arrival in the UK all arrangements for the tour were managed internally along with the help of Jamaica National Overseas UK in particular Paulette Simpson and Samantha Bristol.

The UK Experience Accommodation London The group had to be split up in London to reduce costs with a number of persons being accommodated by family and friends, while the others were accommodated primarily at the London School of Economics’ Passfield Hall, Carr-Saunders Hall and Bankside House

Berlin • Hotel Holiday Inn Express • Hotel Domus • Ambassador’s Official Residence • Residence of staff of the Embassy • Private residence Birmingham Majority of the group were accommodated at the Campanile Birmingham Hotel while others were accommodated with family and friends.

Ground Transportation • While in London a coach was hired for airport transfer on arrival. For most other engagements public transport was utilised.

• Public transportation was utilised for all other movements except to and from the Jamaica Independence Service. Thereafter we were provided with transportation organised and paid for from our funds.

• Chauffeurs of Birmingham was the coach service used to transport the group on all major trips from Birmingham.

• Jamaica National underwrote the cost of moving the group while back in London and the group from Reading provided transportation to take the group to that performance.

Meals The group was asked to take care of their own meals. At all performances except Camden a meal or snack was provided for the group. Additionally on two days a meal was provided by a civic group in Birmingham.

In Berlin all meals were taken care of by the Embassy.

Performances All the performances were done to a high standard with the choir giving their best. The audience numbers at the majority of the shows was rather low. However they were not treated to any less a performance.

July 24, The first engagement on the tour was fundraising reception for the British Foundation for the UWI, BFUWI. The event took place at the Triniddaian High Commission located in Belgrave Square, London. In attendance were a number of UWI alumni and other Caribbean expatriates. Former Chancellor of the UWI, Sir Shridath Ramphal and the Jamaican High Commissioner to London Anthony Johnson were in attendance.

Sir Shridath Ramphal addressing the BFUWI fundraiser.

High Commissioner Anthony Johnson Enjoying the performance.

July 25 The Fairfield Hall, in Croydon South London hosted the first full performance of the Singers on this UK tour. Audience support was rather low however this did not change the resolve of the group to deliver an excellent performance. The performance also served as good promotions for the rest of the tour and resulted in requests for other appearances.

The Singers performing the Nine Night Suite on stage at the Fairfield Hall, Croydon.

Dr. Murphey Osbourne performing at the the Fairfield Hall, Croydon.

Singers join a busker at an Underground Station performing Ave Maria

July 28 In the heart of Central London, the Singers had the second major performance. This was at the Camden Centre which was across from the famous Kings Cross Station. Again the audience numbers were disappointing, however a much younger demographic was in attendance. The Deputy High Comissioner Joan Thomas-Edwards represented the Jamaican High Commission at the performance.

July 31 The Jamaican High Commission, Jamaica Independence Service took place at the St. Martin in the Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. The event was attended by over one thousand (1000) Jamaicans and others who came out to celebrate Jamaica’s independence.

The sermon was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Stephen Jennings with University Singers member Emily Elliot, who was studying in the UK, reading one of the scriptures.

August 1 The Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation’s fundraiser was held at Crystal Palace, South London. The event was a daytime event in the famous park.

August 2 As Jamaica celebrated its 48th Anniversary the Embassy of Jamaica in Berlin, sought to present a different programme as part of its Independence celebrations. The University Singers was invited to present a programme which would display the diversity of Jamaica’s culture . As such, a programme which took guests through the various genres which the group performs, was showcased. There were over 350 invited guests from the Jamaican community, diplomatic corps in Berlin and others drawn from the business and civic communities.

The performance was hosted at the Akademie der Kunst (Academy of the Arts), Berlin.

Mrs. Joy Wheeler Ambassador of Jamaica in Germany

Pat Samuels, Regional Director, Europe, JTB

Audience in a standing ovation after the prformance in Germany

August 5 A consequence of the cancellation of the venue at the Martin Harris Centre in Manchester, we were also cancelling the appearance in that city. However one if the Jamaican Diaspora groups in Manchesr requested that we make an appearance there.

Scheduled initially fo rthe West Indian Social club it was later moved to the Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, a community centre. This turned out to be our most challenging performance in terms of the quality of the performance and the audience turnout.

August 6 Two UWI and University Singers Alumni, Marlon and Sjokvist Stewart, invited the Singers to perform for their son’s school fundraiser. However when the school reneged, they decided to proceed on their own. The performance attracted persons who travelled from London, Northampton and other areas to Hertfordshire to see the group on Independence Day. The Event was held at the Eric Morecambe Hall.

August 7 The Association of Jamaican Nationals led by Beverly Lindsay, hosted the Singers in performance at the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham. This event was primarily sponsored by the Birmingham City Council. While the venue was not sold out there was a large turnout of Jamaicans and other Brits. Also in attendance were the Lord Mayor of

Birmingham Councillor Len Gregory and his wife, members of the all female group Black Voices and radio personality Bishop Joe Aldred.

Members of the Singers sharing with Celia Wickham-Anderson of the group Black Voices.

August 8 The Association of Jamaican Nationals also hosted an Independence Service, which was held at the Handsworth New Testament Church of God. The church building accommodates over a thousand and was at capacity at the end of the event. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Jamaican High Commissioner along with a number of clergy from across the UK were in attendance.

August 12 The Singers traveled to the city of Nottingham for the final performance before returning to London. The event was held at the Albert Hall.

August 14 The Jamaica Society, Reading Folk Ensemble hosted a fundraiser at the YMCA Reading.

The small group which made the trip aquitted themselves very well. The Folk Ensemble was keen on having us in Reading, to share with them, having seen our first performance in Croydon.

Though a small venue the audience thoroughly enjoyed the one hour performance, which was narrated by Dr. Murphey Osbourne, who gave little anectdotes on the pieces.

August 15 Jamaica National Money Transfer organised the inaugural I Love Jamaica Day at the Crystal Palace grounds. The event was scheduled to run from noon to 7 pm. Among the performers were, a steel pan band from a UK School, Fashion Show by Jamaican designer Nealis, the University Singers and Luciano. In addition to the performances there were a number of booths selling Jamaican food and crafts. The official estimate of attendance stated that there were over 15,000 persons inside the venue. The University Singers total performance time, in three sets, was one hour and twenty minutes, more than the main act Luciano.

This was the last event prior to our departure from the UK

The UWI, Mona on Tour

Mrs. Althea Gordon-Clennon. Senior Assistant Registrar, International Students Office, joined us on the tour in Birmingham, where she presented material about studying at UWI, to the patrons at both events.

During the intermission of the performance at the Adrian Boult Hall, Mrs. Gordon-Clennon addressed the audience on studying at UWI, including the various programmes available and extra-curricular life including participation in groups such as the University Singers.

Material was also sent which was distributed at the I Love Jamaica Day event organised by Jamaica National.

Media exposure The group received significant media exposure as a result of the tour. This was mainly in the form of interviews and appearance in print advertisements.

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• Two weeks circulation as part of advertising campaign for “I Love Jamaica Day” in The Voice Newspaper.

• Two week circulation on radio in London, Birmingham and Manchester as part of advertising campaign for I love Jamaica Day. • Two week circulation in the voice newspaper as part of advertising campaign for concert at the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham.

• Direct mailing of flyers to over 800 households by Jamaica National.

• Text messaging to all of Jamaica National’s customers in Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester and parts of London.

• Facebook campaign • Website uwisingersontour.com

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The interview was included as part of the BBC Caribbean’s year-end special and featured prominently on its website.

Conclusion The University Singers tour of the UK 2010 was affected by several challenges which could have derailed all the plans. Had there not been for the steely resolve of the members to make it work the tour could have had a different outcome.

The culture of doing business in various communities in the UK was quite instructive. Lessons were learnt from this which should provide a basis for any plans to return to the UK in the future. More of the planning and organisation could be done locally to ensure success of the tour.

Despite the great challenges however the tour would not be described as a failure as there are several successes: 1. The University Singers now has a presence in the UK after being absent for thirteen years.

2. The University Singers now has a presence in Germany which it didn’t have before.

3. The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus has been given a presence in the UK through the promotions which were done directly and through the media.

4. To have performed to an audience in excess of twenty thousand (20,000) persons.

5. Exposed a number of members to (a) new country/countries.

MEMBERS OF THE TOURING GROUP

Adams, Stacy*

Morgan, Kristal

Adams, Brianne

Mundle, O’Neal*

Allen, Lurane*

Osbourne, Murphey*

Allen, Peter*

Reid, Mark-Anthony*

Bailey, Kester*

Reid, Carolyn*

Baker, Toni-Ann

Roxburgh, Nadia*

Benjamin, Chris*

Sinclair, Stephan*

Boothe, Heston*

Smith, Lorenzo*

Brooks, Rochelle*

Spence , Sharda

Brown, Katherine*

Strachan, Ana*

Chambers, Jerren

Taylor, Suzanne*

Dunkley, Archie*

Thomas, Marcelle*

Ellis, Elisha

Thompson, Roy*

Fearon, Wayne*

Thompson, Warren*

James, Shauna-Kaye

Williams, Jhana*

McIntyre, Marsha

Williamson, Johann

Miller, Stacie* * Members of the Berlin team.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT INCOME Item Sponsorship Campus Principal's Office, UWI Mona Vice Chancellors Office, UWI British Airways Jamaica NationaL Overseas UK* Gate Reciepts/performance fees CD Sales Miscellaneous Total revenue

ÂŁ

J$ 2,640,000.00 454,451.51 876,525.00

7,500.00 4,337.00 2,722.00 2,257.00 3,970,976.51

16,816.00

285,200.00 3,747,525.00

-

Transport Per Diem Accommodation

15,000.00 944,468.00 -

2,220.00 8,357.00

Meals Payments to Quiz Media

583,315.00

600.00 -

Uniforms Equipment Hire Venue Hire

41,377.63 -

1,609.00 6,011.24

Miscellaneous

100,000.00

725.00

Total Expenses

5,716,885.63

19,522.24

(1,745,909.12)

(2,706.24)

EXPENDITURE UK VISAS Airline Tickets

Amounts covered by the University Singers

Exchange rate Jamaican dollar conversion Total

129.00 (349,104.96) (2,095,014.08)

The University Singers Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts University of the West Indies, Mona Kingston 7 (876) 702-3518 theuniversitysingers@uwimona.edu.jm universitysingers1938@gmail.com www.uwisingersmona.com facebook.com/uwisingersmona youtube.com/uwisingersmona