Music and Media Dept puts structure to gospel enthusiasm

Saturday's symposium at the Jamaica Theological Seminary (JTS) is being organised by the institution's Music and Media Department. Dr Garnett Roper, head of the JTS, explained the department's role in bringing structure to the enthusiasm with which some persons involved in gospel

have approached new-found opportunities at media outlets. Roper pointed to the easier access to print, electronic and Internet-based media outlets, especially since the 1990s.

"Our objective is to train people to at least know the techniques and theories," Roper said, this contributing to their being aware of the importance of their roles and acting accordingly.

On Saturday, the day will be organised into five perspectives on the theme 'Caribbean Theology and the Church's Mission', each addressed by a panel. The first panel, on the cultural perspective, will consist of Glory Music's Tommy Cowan and Carlene Davis, along with tertiary-level educator and former member of Third World Band Ibo Cooper. It will be hosted by Hugh Douse of the Nexus ensemble. Roper is on the second panel, which takes the theological perspective. Public theology student Nicholas Smith and Bertram Gayle, who leads the translation team for the Jamaican New Testament, are also on the panel. Dr Winston Thompson, the JTS' vice-president for academic affairs, will be the moderator.

The day's third panel, comprising pastors - Junior Tucker, Stevenson Samuels, Barry Hall and Cavaughn Edwards - giving the pastoral perspective, will be moderated by Dr Henley Morgan. The performing arts take centre stage in the practical examination of the theme, as Roger Williams, who heads the School of Music at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, musician and teacher Chadwick Morgan, and Andrea Hinds of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) will participate. Pianist Ye Kengale is in charge of the global perspective panel, which includes Jo-Ann Richards-Goffe, Joh Roomes and Dr George Mulrain.

FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHY

A special feature of the day is a photography exhibition by Howard Moo Young, as we are nearing the 40th anniversary of the One Love Peace Concert, which was held at the National Stadium on April 22, 1978. His photograph of Bob Marley holding then Opposition Leader Edward Seaga and then Prime Minister Michael Manley's hands together above his head is famous, but Moo Young told The Gleaner in 2012, "I did not plan to go down to the stadium that night."

Marley figures in the symposium in another way, as one of the post-symposium tours is to Culture Yard, Trench Town. The Ambassador Theatre is anther Trench Town location on the tour list, as well as the Peter Tosh Museum in New Kingston.

M.C