Dr. Eric Conway, Director, Morgan State University Choir, www.msuchoir.org, writes:
Hello all,
We are thoroughly enjoying our time in Jamaica, albeit a short one.
Yesterday
morning, we took a formal tour of a very old and historic community in
Jamaica, Port Royal. A short history - Port Royal was originally
colonized by the Spanish. In 1655, the British attacked and captured
this town. Because of its good natural harbor and key position on the
island, it soon became a haven for pirates. In 1692, a massive
earthquake hit Port Royal, dumping most of it into the harbor. Over
5000 died in the earthquake, or shortly thereafter due to injuries or
disease. The town was never the same after that. Due to the many
pirates that resided in this town, it was known as the "richest and
wickedest city in the world!" Many believed that the earthquake took
their lives because of their sins. We visited and toured the fort that
the British originally built to protect the town. Ironically, the
British actually welcomed the pirates, hoping that no other foreign
nations would want to fight pirates in attempting to capture this
desirous port city. Of interest to us was the fact the most famous
pirate that lived in Port Royal was Henry Morgan. Just about everything
in that community bears his name, which happens to be the name of our
great university- no connection : ) Please see photos attached with
many references to infamous Captain Morgan.
After
the tour Anthony Hylton, the Morgan alumnus and Jamaican Minister of
Industry and Commerce, hosted the choir with his family at Morgan's
Harbour Hotel and Marina. The lunch was tasty and served in a
beautifully appointed room overlooking the harbor. On the way to the
marina we passed by St. Peters Church, said to be the the oldest church
in the Western Hemisphere. That evening, we gave a concert at Andrews
Memorial Seventh-Day-Adventist Church. We were well-received,
performing immediately after their final Sabbath Worship.
Today,
we traveled over two hours away from Kingston to Mandeville, Jamaica
where we gave a concert at Northern Carribean University in a brand new
lecture hall in their new Nursing School Building. The Vice-President
of Academic Affairs, Dr. Marilyn Anderson, hosted us. This was a
special day for her, as she officially became VPAA today, July 1, and we
were her very first event. The auditorium was filled beyond capacity.
Much to my surprise, the Ambassador traveled all the way from Kingston
to hear us, as did Minister Hylton with his entire family. It was very
special for the choir to see the joy that these two successful Morgan
products showed in their faces during our concert - one a former
professor and one a graduate. Again, we were very well-received. We
happened to meet many friends and family of Morgan State Univeristy,
including the brother of Gilbert Morgan, the Director of Information
Technology at Morgan, who used to work for the University. We also met
a close friend of Dr. Glenn Phillips, History professor at Morgan.
Again, we had another scrumptious meal served for us at the University.
We are certainly going to miss this Caribbean cuisine. Please see
photos attached detailing these last couple of days in Jamaica.
Eric Conway, D.M.A.
Fine and Performing Arts Department, Chairperson
Morgan State University
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