Members of the Gifford Youth Orchestra recently traded in their strings and bows and took their places at the grill, producing enticing aromas rather than musical notes during their annual Barbeque Festival, held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Walking Trail.
Supporters of the nonprofit gathered in the shade to escape the hot Florida sun, and enjoyed interesting conversation and music while nibbling on succulent ribs, fried fish and all the fixings.
Funds raised will help GYO provide instruction in the cultural and performing arts to youth from Gifford and neighboring communities.
Marcus Rogers, fundraising committee co-chair, admitted that he has “absolutely no musical skills whatsoever,” but said he joined the GYO board last year to give back to the community.
“One of the important things for the kids is that not only do they get to play a musical instrument, but they get to live another completely different type of cultural existence through playing that musical instrument, that they probably would never have even thought of before.”
Growing up, Rogers said he had opted to play tennis rather than basketball, which most of his friends preferred, adding, “I met so many different people and did so many different things playing tennis. The same can be said about music.”
GYO was founded 18 years ago by Rev. Dr. Crystal Bujol after her friend Annie Powell challenged her to do something about Gifford children who were being “left behind.” A vivid image of a little Black boy lugging a cello as big as he was set her on the path to introduce music to the children of Gifford.
“We hoped we would get five kids when we first started. Fifteen showed up,” said Bujol.
Today, about 60 children ranging in age from 8 to 18 are instructed by a team of dedicated teachers in instrumentals, drama, dance and vocal arts.
Joan Haar, who has taught music to children for about 50 years, has worked with GYO students since the program’s inception.
“I had opportunities that kids don’t always get. It meant so much to me to get those opportunities, that I feel like all children should have them,” said Haar. “Music brings joy in a way nothing else does. And when you can produce your own music, it’s even better. This program opens doors for these children.”
Initially, Bujol had thought GYO students would go on to perform with the Indian River Youth Symphony Orchestra, but then decided that she didn’t want to train them to go into someone else’s program.
“Like what happened with the Negro Baseball team. All the best baseball players were hired away, and the whole Negro League disappeared,” she explained. She instead wanted GYO students to serve as role models for other Gifford children “that look like and live around the corner from them.”
As the program evolved, so did the motivational affirmations they adopted: “More violins equals less violence.” “Our program keeps kids off the streets and on the stage.” “Each one, teach one.”
“These aren’t just phrases. It takes discipline to stay off the street and on the stage. And these kids really loved to be on the stage,” said Bujol.
A study published by the American Psychological Association indicates that playing an instrument has such quantifiable benefits as lowering blood pressure, decreasing heart rates, stress, depression and anxiety, and keeping the mind sharper.
The impact music has had on former GYO students ranges far and wide, says Bujol.
Success stories include Jamari Williams, who attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy near Lincoln Center and has gone on to perform on Broadway and at Vero’s own Riverside Theatre. Another former student majored in music and now teaches music to 400 children a year.
“The ramifications of what this program can mean, not just to Gifford, not just to Black and Brown children, but to Indian River County, are larger than the circle we first drew when we started 18 years ago,” said Bujol.
Bujol announced recently that she is retiring, but is leaving behind a legacy she hopes will continue to grow and thrive.
During COVID, students were instructed via a virtual format and, when several students moved out of the area, they shipped violins to them so they could continue their lessons virtually.
Inspired by this turn of events, Bujol said her dream is to introduce music and culture wherever there are underserved children.
For more information, visit gyotigers.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
