 One of the most beloved aspects of UWI Graduation ceremonies is the live music courtesy the Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) and accompanying bands. DCFA Head of Department and Senior Lecturer Mr. Jessel Murray gave us a behind the scenes glimpse of into what the production process for the big band sound driving all our Graduation ceremonies’ pomp and circumstance.
DCFA oversees the recruitment and supervision of the bands that provide music for the respective ceremonies (Police Band, Fire Services Band and UWI Steel in 2015). The Head of Department (HOD) also consults with the Coordinators of the Performing Arts Units (principally Music and more recently Dance) to provide interludes.
Lecturers make recommendations and the Head of Department ultimately decides on the scheduling – though sometimes it has to do with student availability. Dance pieces are usually proposed based on previously developed concert material.
DCFA is always striving to present music which has a high impact whether it’s a traditional piece such as “Some Enchanted Evening” or a student composition (the first work used this year was “Life’s a Joy,” composed by undergraduate Music major, Daniel Ryan).
When it comes to coordinating with the Fire Services and Police Bands typically, each Band decides on their own repertoire, however, there are certain mandates – The prelude consists of freely chosen music, followed by the required processional music for graduates, staff, the Academic Deans, and lastly the platform party. The last musical element is recessional music for the entire company.
Outside of UWI Graduation Ceremonies, DCFA has been in high demand for several similar ceremonies. In the past two years, they have received numerous requests for Faculty graduations including the Faculty of Humanities and Education (FHE). DCFA have also been requested for seminar openings, workshops, and many other events. Services may be asked for a rendition of the National Anthem (either sung or played), other times it may be for full scale performances or background music for a reception.
The DCFA also recognises the achievement of their talented graduates beforehand and continues to showcase their multifaceted artists through a host of concerts and exhibitions throughout the academic year. The Dance Unit has major performances at the end of each semester – Fete de la Dance and Sole to Sole respectively while the Music Unit has ten ensembles that includes The UWI Arts Chorale and the UWI Steel (who perform together), The UWI Percussion, UWI Guitar Ensemble, and UWI Classical Indian Ensemble, and the newest ensemble – the UWI Wind Ensemble whose concert takes place later this month.
For more information about DCFA, please contact Mr. Joseph Drayton at 645-1955 or visit their website: https://sta.uwi.edu/fhe/dcfa/.
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