Classical duo to perform at Mico - School to use concert funds to digitise library

Two of Jamaica's internationally acclaimed classical artistes, Curtis Watson and Pauline Forrest-Watson, will be the featured performers at the Mico Old Student Association's (MOSA) fund-raising concert entitled 'Evening of Classical Ballads', scheduled to take place at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

The concert is being held under the distinguished patronage of Sir Kenneth and Lady Hall.

While patrons attending this event will get another opportunity to enjoy the musical mastery of the classical couple, they will also be contributing to MOSA's efforts to preserve and digitise the extensive historical archives and scholarly collections of The Mico's Renford Shirley Library, to create a more user-centred information portal that can be shared locally and globally.

When the estimated $10-million four-phase project is completed, it will be wide-ranging with a gallery of historical photographs, early prints, as well as newspaper and journal articles, and will also offer users the opportunity to tag and add data.

Vinell Spied, the college's librarian, pointed out that the transfer to the digital medium will move the library forward.

Watson and Forrest-Watson will be accompanied by Roger Williams, renowned Jamaican classical pianist and music educator.

Williams has given numerous recitals as a soloist and as a collaborative pianist, both locally and internationally, performing with some of Jamaica's finest musicians, including the world-renowned bass/baritone Sir Willard White.

Tickets are available at the MOSA Office at The Mico University College, 1A Marescaux Road, Kingston 5 or by calling 920-3046; all Kingston Bookshop locations, and The Music Mart on South Avenue. Tickets cost $5,000.