About Us

Herbert Morrison Technical High School Music Department

Mr. Carl Mathews (HOD)

Mr. Mathews is the Head of the Department and joined in January 1982. His music career started at the Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club where he played trumpet and now helps to co-ordinate their band programme now. He plays keyboard professionally and toured with his band "Studs" during the 1980's and 90's. He studied voices at several american universities during the 1980's. He is a member of the Association of Caribbean Music Educators (ACME) and also director of the nationally acclaimed Praise Choir. At present, he is responsible for the advanced band programme and the choir.

In planning and organizing musical activities that meet the needs of our students, the school and the wider Montego Bay community, the music department has streamlined its programmes to now include:

We find students of different aptitudes, interests and musical abilities in our schools. Music education at Herbert Morrison provides activities and materials through which many types of students gain a deeper experience of music. Our programmes target the below average, average and the talented. Also, our programmes are aimed at providing for the development of inventiveness and personal creativity through the medium of sound. Therefore, we develop the whole person rather than merely providing musical training.

St. James dreamed of having a Technical High School where academic and technical subjects could be taught at the same institution. This dream materialized on September 7, 1976 when Herbert Morrison Technical High School opened its doors to its first batch of 480 students. Along with these students were 16 members of staff, 5 ancillary workers, 3 administrative members of staff, a school nurse and the Principal, Mr. J. Lloyd Whinstanley.

The new school was faced with several problems during its first years of operation; among these were unequipped laboratories, no library, no playing field and no music room. As the schools population increased, 4 classrooms were built and by the end of the fourth year, Herbert Morrison had etched its name on the roll of educational institutions in the island. During these years a music programme was initiated, assisted by Professor J. Grimes and personnel from Indiana State University. The school band became a great attraction for parents and teachers alike and many students opted for Herbert Morrison with a dream of playing some instrument or other.

In 1984, the Ministry of Education and Culture proposed to have a fully equipped technical school in Western Jamaica. Herbert Morrison Comprehensive, as it was known then, was chosen.

In 1986, the school celebrated its tenth anniversary and a new wing, additional staff room and classrooms for grade 10 completed. During the years between suggestion and implementation, much dialogue and paper work had taken place, and it was realized that the transition from comprehensive to technical necessitated additions and improvement in the scientific, technical and aesthetic areas. Funding for this transformation was provided by USAID. USAID had also equipped the staff for the new programme by providing scholarships to a number of teachers for greater effectiveness in the technical area. The HEART TRUST/NTA is now working with the school in developing its technical areas.