GoodHeart | Travis Wedderburn finds a new beginning through music

Music has played a significant role in Travis Wedderburn’s journey, helping him earn his degree from The University of the West Indies. His story of motivation, determination, and perseverance is rooted in humble beginnings, and how two women, whom he calls ‘angels’, saved him from life on the streets.

Born in Westmoreland, Wedderburn moved to Mona Common in St Andrew at age two to live with his grandmother. “Before the age of nine, life was terrible. I never went to infant or basic school, got kicked out of primary school at eight years old. And I ended up begging on the streets, trying my best to survive,” he told GoodHeart.

In 2004, two women saw his situation and took him to Alpha Boys’ Home. “The ladies who took me there promised to visit, but I haven’t seen or heard from them again. Maybe they really were two angels,” he shared.

Although he initially didn’t like being in the home, he returned after a heart-to-heart with Sister Maria Goretti, who promised him he would not leave Alpha the way he arrived. “She assured me I would turn out to be a great man,” Wedderburn recalled.

That exchange shifted his perspective, and he began settling into new territory. Naturally, this came with its fair share of hardships.

“At first it took me a while to settle in at Alpha. I was always the little troublemaker. But discipline was the order of the day; from getting up in the mornings to bedtime, we did this in an orderly fashion. Each morning, we would pray. And when we went to school, we had to line up properly,” he said.

Despite the rough start, Alpha became a place of love for him. When he arrived, they discovered he couldn’t read or write, but everyone hoped he would turn a new leaf.

GREAT ACADEMICAL IMPROVEMENT

Placed in the remedial class, his progression saw him making great improvement academically by the age of 11. “But I was still giving a lot of trouble,” he confessed. So, Sister Goretti promised him that if I started to behave, she would let him join the band. There, he discovered a love for music.

“Music is the centre and heart of the Alpha Boys’ School (now Alpha Institute). My life changed the day I went into the band. It was in the band I found my calling,” he shared. It was there that he met his mentor and musical father, Winston Sparrow Martin.

Wedderburn learned how to play the trombone and euphonium, which he played for five years. He also taught himself tunes via tuba. Pretty soon, the band had become his family. “I got to travel to all 14 parishes with the Alpha band. My favourite shows were playing at The Pegasus, the Jazz and Blues Festival, and there’s a church in St Thomas that we used to go early and play; we loved it there because we always got a lot of food,” he said, laughing.

Martin, who was responsible for the band, is a former soldier and policeman, so he adhered to a strict code of discipline. He also stood as a father-figure for the students. “Mr Martin would sit down and reason with us like the father we didn’t have. And he would ensure that we would get a job after leaving school. Many of us went to the military band and some, the police band.”

At 16, Wedderburn was recruited to join the Jamaica Military Band. But with the police band in need of musicians, he became an active member at 18 years old.

“On February 18, 2012, I was one of nine musicians who was recruited to join the police force and after training, would go to the JCF band. After six months of basic training school, nine of us were sent to the Jamaica Constabulary Force band to help with the development of the band. Currently only two of us are still in the JCF band,” he explained, adding, “I have been the lead and solo trombonist for the past 12 years.”

When he joined the band, the director of music told him that within his first five years in the force, he would need to return to school to meet the JCF requirements.

STUDIES IN MUSIC

“It was a challenge juggling school and work. After finishing my two years probationary period, I started evening classes at The University of the West Indies open campus on South Camp Road, where I got three subjects; human and social biology, office administration, and principles of business. I already had English language and social studies. Also, I continued with my musical qualifications and did my Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music(ABRSM) exams in theory and practical from grade 3 all the way up to grade 8. I did a diploma in music and performance studies from the ABRSM,” he highlighted.

Encouraged by his batchmate Robert Mundle, Wedderburn enrolled at UWI Mona, receiving tuition support and mentorship from Detective Sergeant Junior Ives for four and a half years which he’s still grateful for.

During this time, he was sometimes called for patrol duty to support his colleagues.

He also teaches music at the JCF Academy, helping students preparing to join the force, a role he enjoys.

On November 2, he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in music and performance studies, with second-class honours.

With plans to make his own music like musical icon Don Drummond, he hopes to tour the world one day.

“Many persons had written me off. Many didn’t believe I had the capacity to do well educationally. They are my motivators. Plus, I put my trust in a true and living God. He’s the driver of my life. So, wherever he leads me, I follow,” he said.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com