Jamaica Youth Chorale Carries Message of Hope to Cayman After Hurricane Melissa’s Devastation at Home

In the aftermath of the devastation in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa, one of the country’s leading choral groups, the Jamaica Youth Chorale (JYC), together with its legacy ensemble, The Kingston 17, is turning music into mission. As the nation starts to rebuild, the internationally acclaimed choir will be playing its part on the road to recovery, using its artistry and music to send a message of resilience and hope to uplift spirits and rally additional support, especially for those hardest hit in the western end of the country.

The choir is amplifying its mission this month in the Cayman Islands where it will headline an event being presented by CayMusicA (formerly Cayman Arts Festival). Its performances, featuring the UCCI Dance Company, are set for November 15 and 16 at the Harquail Theatre in George Town, Grand Cayman. The JYC will thrill audiences while raising awareness for communities and individuals displaced by the Hurricane and encouraging support towards relief initiatives coordinated by local charities and disaster response agencies.

The group’s eclectic touring repertoire will feature hopeful and reflective works from Buju Banton to Rodgers & Hammerstein. It features stunning arrangements from Jamaican composers Noel Dexter, C.S. Walters, Dr. Kathy Brown and Dr O.C. Dawkins as well as other non-Jamaican composers like Stacey V Gibbs, Ivo Antognini and Craig Hella Johnson.

“Our mission has always been to use our voices not only to entertain but to inspire and uplift,” said Greg Simms, founder and musical director of the JYC and The Kingston 17. “In times like these, music becomes more than art, it becomes a form of service. We want our performances to share with our friends in Cayman, including the many Jamaicans that now call the islands home, and the rest of the world that the sun will rise again with our collective efforts.”

The Jamaica Youth Chorale, celebrated for its impactful and dynamic performances, has over the years maintained a longstanding tradition of giving back to the community, while showcasing Jamaican talent and representing Jamaica on international stages like the World Choir Games (South Africa), at the Washington National Cathedral (USA) and at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (UK) to critical acclaim.

In 2024, the Chorale partnered with The Caring For Miracles Foundation to raise critical funds for improving pre-term baby care in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. It has also played a vital role in uplifting spirits during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, releasing an album: “SPIRIT: Spirituals & Other Sacred Works by Jamaican Composers” and delivering virtual performances streamed to audiences around the world, reinforcing its commitment to using music as a force for hope and positive change.

The group is a not-for-profit organisation comprising singers and musicians from across Jamaica, united by a shared passion for excellence, service and the preservation of the island’s rich choral tradition. Mr Simms shared that having not been spared from the hurricane’s impacts themselves, the members are even more driven to use their upcoming performances heading into the Christmas season to rally communities in solidarity and support improved resilience.

“Some of our members have been personally affected by Hurricane Melissa or have families in the areas destroyed or severely impacted. This is a difficult time but together we can heal, recover and emerge stronger than before,” shared Mr Simms.

The Jamaica Youth Chorale, founded in 2008, will mark its 17th anniversary this December, celebrating nearly two decades of inspiring performances and community impact. Its senior ensemble, The Kingston 17, was launched in 2024 to continue its mission of nurturing musical excellence and leadership across generations.