IN JAMAICA: ‘Sparrow’ keeps the beat at Alpha Boys' School for over 50 years....the famed Kingston institution seemed in jeopardy when Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna announced Tuesday that, "antisocial and psychotic behaviour" at the 135-year-old institution has made it impossible to continue housing hundreds of boys.

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer  Thursday, April 10, 2014    

IT'S been over 50 years since Winston 'Sparrow' Martin learned to play the drums at the Alpha Boys' School. Now in his late '60s, he is still there, teaching music and encouraging students to stay the straight and narrow.

Winston "Sparrow' Martin

Martin's 28-year tenure as music director at the famed Kingston institution seemed in jeopardy when Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna announced Tuesday that, "antisocial and psychotic behaviour" at the 135-year-old institution has made it impossible to continue housing hundreds of boys.

Martin says because of the school's remarkable music history, it was widely believed his department would be closed. That is not the case, he said during an interview with the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

"It's not breaking down. The music programme is still there. It will always be there," he said.

Alpha's South Camp Road location house over 100 boys and all of Martin's charges live at the location. Most play horns, an hallmark of its music programme. Despite the negative revelations given for the school's pending closure, Martin says his students, whose ages range from eight to 16, remain focused.

"They are willing to learn, there's a lot of enthusiasm and dedication. That's very important." more