Five years ago the dream of creating a community youth orchestra was born. It’s president, Gloria Gumbs, established Partners for Strings, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. PFS then launched its free, year-round after-school music education program, called the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra. The weekly program provides training in orchestral instruments—including strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and steel pan for at-risk youth ages 6 to 17 at G-Clef Music Academy on St. Thomas. While PFS was in its early development stage in 2021, a former Miami Music Project parent introduced Gloria to its President and CEO Anna Klimala. This partnership would expand the coast of Partners for Strings and ultimately take the group on an amazing music trip to Miami in 2025.
PFS established an Alliance Partnership in 2022 with Miami Music Project, one of the largest socially transformative music initiatives in the United States. To date, Miami Music Project has reached over 33,000 children and youth across Miami-Dade County providing free after-school orchestra music education at seven local schools. This was a very important and exciting alliance, because it provided administrative support to PFS and gave room to expand the performance opportunities for its Virgin Islands students.
Gloria Gumbs said, “My early conversations with Anna were filled with faith and hope. As I looked at our current student members at the time, many of them were new to playing music instruments and some did not know how to read music. Despite many challenges, my faith increased. We diligently practiced and participated in community performances. Through some grass roots recruiting, new local partnerships, and inspirational talks, our members grew in size and confidence. Our Teaching Artist and Conductor, Urbane Chinnery, patiently showed students how to play their instruments, while guiding them through new notes and more challenging music. Our Teaching Artist, PFS’s newest Board of Director, and Music Arranger, Kandis Gumbs, introduced a repertoire that was exciting and memorable. The student members were eager to play the new songs.”
Gloria added, “In 2024, when Kandis first arranged, “Lift Every Voice” (Black National Anthem) for our youth orchestra, I was elated that we were incorporating Virgin Islands culture with steel pans into this classic piece. But what came next blew the minds of many listeners, Kandis arranged an upbeat, Latin-style version of the jazz standard, “Take Five”, with the melodic lines being led by our steel pan players”. About mid 2024, PFS confirmed with Miami Music Project that they wanted to perform in Miami. Anna selected Miami Music Project’s “unCLASSICAL” concert in April as the perfect event for the PFS youth orchestra to deliver its unique Caribbean style of music at a family-friendly venue–Miami Beach Bandshell. As the group got closer to the Miami Music Trip, the final contribution to its musical lineup was being confirmed and the list of who’s traveling to Miami was also solidified. This year’s unCLASSICAL concert theme would be “Miami Vibes”.
Partners for Strings was honored to take a piece of Virgin Islands cultural heritage to its Miami concert. The youth orchestra featured a medley of Quelbe songs, “Sly Mongoose” and “Queen Mary”, which were also arranged by Kandis Gumbs. Quelbe Music, was declared the “official traditional” music of the United States Virgin Islands in 2003. The heart of the music form celebrates African-influenced rhythms. The classic Quelbe song, “Queen Mary”, tells of the historical slave revolt on the island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; while “Sly Mongoose” speaks of the characteristics of some politicians.
Nineteen Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra student members, ranging in age from 10 to 16 performed a total of five selections. The musical lineup included the amazing arrangements of the Virgin Islands Quelbe music, along with combining their talents with Miami Music Project’s Leaders Orchestra to perform “Take Five” conducted by Liber Cuervos. Liber is the Director of Education and Programs for Miami Music Project. Joining the Teaching Artists on stage to perform “Take Five” was the cool low tones of PFS Board of Director, James H. Gumbs, Jr. on the bass guitar. The combined group performance was electrifying as both orchestras and the audience were moving to the beats and standing to their feet. The students had a very memorable experience. Violin player, Isabella Thomas, said “Experiencing the Leaders Orchestra performance was amazing! When we performed Take Five with them I felt proud to be included with such amazing professionals!!!”
Jonathan Hannah, who plays the cello, said, “Playing at the unCLASSICAL concert hosted by the Miami Music Project [was] an experience that I’ll never forget. Watching, and listening, to the Miami Music Project students has opened my eyes to how much more I have to learn, and I am excited to learn.’ Trombone player, Czade-Osirs George, said, ‘Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra’s performance at the unCLASSICAL concert was an awesome experience collaborating with new people, performing with my instrument on stage, and traveling to somewhere new with my fellow musicians.’ Tendaji Davis, who plays steel pan, said, ‘Our performance at the ‘unCLASSICAL: Miami Vibes’ concert was our strongest yet, and I was genuinely impressed by how far we had come.’ Gabrielle Baa, who plays the flute, said, ‘The performance at the unCLASSICAL concert was an amazing experience! I was initially nervous about performing outside my hometown and on a bigger stage, but after we finished our first song, I felt incredibly proud and excited to be part of it.’ Jazmyn Gumbs, who plays clarinet, added, ‘It was an eye-opening and rewarding experience. I would do it again’. After this experience the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra will use this momentum to do more performances and increase their musicianship during the orchestra’s Summer Program–Youth Orchestra Afternoons in the Summer. The summer program is also an opportunity to accept new recruits to the youth orchestra. Donations are welcome to help all PFS programs reach their performance goals.
There are many people and companies who should be thanked for making the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra’s Miami Music Trip possible. Applause goes to the youth orchestra students/parents/chaperones, PFS Board of Directors, Miami Music Project/Anna Klimala, and several local sponsors/supporters, including: G-Clef Music Academy, Thriving Charity Advocates, St. Thomas/Water Island District Administrator Kevin Rodriquez (came to unCLASSICAL concert as U.S. Virgin Islands Office of the Governor Representative), U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Cape Air, Tree Limin’ Extreme Zipline, Prana Spa, House of Pastries Bakery & Deli, KLR Restaurant Supplies Store, Nigel O. Hodge Foundation, Cardow, St. Thomas Properties, Hospitality Management Goods and Services, Alma Francis Heyliger Committee, Government Employees’ Retirement System of the Virgin Islands, DFG Community Impact Foundation of the Virgin Islands, Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day, Angela Carter Fretwell, MSI Building Supplies, Cost-U-Less, PriceSmart, Tristian Hannah, the Family Redemption Foundation, Street Level VI, VI Housing Authority, 81C Virgin Islands, Amalia Café Restaurant, Mary T. Payne, Chris Robbert, Lenard Fleming, Pastor Kirk Barker, Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), Julieth Smith, and many generous patrons.
For more information about Partners for Strings, Inc., its summer program, and how you can contribute, call (340) 228-1126 or visit www.partnersforstrings.org
