Page 33 - IB April 2025
P. 33

Pacific Creativity                                                                 Pacific Creativity
                                                                                                         Art


         A fusion of Pacific roots and global sounds        albums.
         The music curriculum at Pacificgroove Arts and Music is   The success stories of these students highlight the
        deeply influenced by Fijian and Pacific Island rhythms, with a   organisation’s commitment to providing not only musical
        strong emphasis on:                                 education, but also the professional skills necessary for
        •  Traditional Fijian Music & Meke Rhythms – Teaching students   students to thrive in the global music industry.
         the foundations of Fijian drumming (lali), hand-clap
         rhythms, and storytelling through chants.            Looking to the future: expanding reach and growing
        •  Pacific Harmony Singing – Training in island-style vocal   opportunities
         harmonies, commonly heard in church music and traditional   As Pacificgroove Arts and Music looks to the future, the
         ensembles.                                         organisation plans to expand its influence both locally and
        •  Island Reggae & Roots – Drawing inspiration from pioneers   internationally. The school is working on collaborations with
         like George “Fiji” Veikoso, J Boog, and Kolohe Kai, tutors   Fiji Music App and other platforms to help students produce,
         guide students through the rhythmic grooves and melodic   perform, and release music in the digital space. There are
         phrasing that define Pacific reggae.               plans to host workshops and provide professional development
        •  Fiji-style Gospel & Worship – Incorporating church music   opportunities for students, equipping them with industry-
         traditions, blending Pacific harmonies with contemporary   standard knowledge and hands-on experience.
         praise and worship arrangements.                     Long-term goals include creating an organised, clear
                                                            pathway for students to progress from beginners to
         Expanding beyond tradition                         professional artists, with the ultimate goal of seeing Pacific
         While their foundation is deeply rooted in the Pacific, they   Island musicians take the world stage.
        also introduce students to global genres that enhance their
        versatility:                                          A platform for the next generation
        •  Jazz, Funk & R&B Fusion – Encouraging improvisation,   More than just a school, Pacificgroove is a movement -
         groove, and soulful expression, essential for contemporary   nurturing talent, preserving Pacific music traditions, and
         musicians.                                         empowering young musicians to thrive in the industry.
        •  Rock & Pop – Covering classic rock guitar riffs, pop vocal   Whether performing at live gigs, church services, or
         techniques, and modern arrangements.               professional recording sessions, their students develop the
        •  Music Production & Ensemble Training – Preparing students   skills needed to make their mark in the Pacific and beyond.
         for the stage and studio, focusing on band performance,
         recording, and arranging music across different styles.  Getting involved: supporting the movement
                                                              Individuals and organisations who want to support
         Navigating challenges and overcoming obstacles     Pacificgroove Arts and Music have several opportunities to get
         Despite facing significant challenges along the way,   involved. One key avenue is through social media, where the
        Pacificgroove Arts and Music has remained committed to its   school plans to increase its presence to engage with a broader
        mission. One notable setback occurred when the school’s   audience. There are also opportunities for collaborations,
        physical location at the United Club faced plumbing issues   sponsorships, and partnerships that will help the school
        that damaged musical instruments and disrupted operations.   continue to grow and support its students.
        However, the founder chose not to give up. Instead, they   The organisation has been fortunate to have received
        adapted by offering freelance lessons, workshops, and home   sponsorships in the past, helping fund both equipment and
        visits, ensuring that the school’s work continued despite   operational costs. These partnerships have been vital in
        setbacks.                                           ensuring the sustainability of the program and its ability to
         Now, Pacificgroove Arts and Music is in the process of   continue offering high-quality education to students in Fiji
        securing a new location in Nadi and other regions, where   and beyond.
        students will once again have a stable space to engage with
        their music education. The school’s resilience in the face   Vibrant community
        of adversity speaks to the strength of its commitment to   Pacificgroove Arts and Music is more than just a school - it’s
        students and the community.                         a vibrant community, a launching pad for young talent, and a
                                                            cultural movement that is shaping the future of music in the
         Impact on local students and global opportunities  Pacific Islands. With a vision that includes providing industry-
         Pacificgroove Arts and Music’s impact is already being felt   level training, supporting students through all stages of their
        in the lives of its students. Several alumni have gone on to   musical journey, and promoting cultural pride, Pacificgroove
        achieve success in the music industry, including students who   Arts and Music is creating a lasting impact on the lives of
        have joined the Police Academy and the military, using their   its students and their communities. Through resilience,
        music skills to perform in these institutions. Other students   innovation, and a commitment to excellence, Pacificgroove
        have gone on to perform with top bands in places like the   Arts and Music is poised to continue making waves in the
        Solomon Islands, and some are even recording their own   world of arts and music education.


                                                                                             Islands Business, April 2025  33
   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38