In a bid to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Department of Cultural Heritage has launched a Cultural Instrument Master Class, running from November 1 to December 20, 2025. Held every Saturday at the Dr. William Connor Primary School, the seven-week program aims to address the declining number of skilled musicians proficient in traditional instruments such as the kettle drum, bass drum, and fife. These instruments are integral to the Masquerades, a cherished folklore form in the Federation, and their decline has significantly impacted the quality of live musical accompaniment in cultural performances. The master class, led by seasoned musicians Devon Nisbett, Russle Jarvis, Alarick Gumbs, and Wayne Simmonds, seeks to reverse this trend by training new generations of cultural musicians. Director of Culture Pierre Liburd emphasized the importance of live music in preserving the authenticity of traditional performances, stating, ‘The music is every bit as important to the tradition as the colorful costumes, the orations, and the dances.’ The initiative aligns with the annual Christmas/Carnival period, a time when cultural practitioners traditionally rehearse for street performances. Historically, folklore performances were seasonal, primarily occurring during Christmas. However, with tourism becoming a major economic driver, there has been a growing demand for these performances to entertain visitors and evoke nostalgia among returning nationals. Despite this, the shift towards recorded music has threatened the survival of live cultural accompaniment. The master class is the third such initiative by the Department of Cultural Heritage in 2025, following earlier programs in stonework and metalcraft welding. This effort underscores the department’s commitment to preserving and promoting the Federation’s cultural traditions.
Master class in cultural instruments facilitates the emergence of more folklore musicians
