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Haitian Orchestra Institute 2019
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Navigating Political Unrest
The 2019 HOI was scheduled for Jacmel, in the south of Haiti. The entire HOI student roster had been selected by national audition, sheet music for the week had been digitally disseminated, and faculty arrangements made. However, in early spring of 2019 social unrest throughout Haiti and roadblocks under “operation Haiti lockdown” prevented travel from city to city. The necessary but regrettable decision was made to postpone the 2019 HOI to the following year just two weeks before the Musicians of the Utah Symphony were to depart for Jacmel.
Because the northern city of Cap Haitien was still relatively peaceful and has its own international airport, Janet, John and Yuki traveled there to teach a smaller group of students who were invited for an intense week of lessons. This week also featured planning sessions with community leaders for the 2020 HOI.
2019 was the year the HOI became a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Cap-Haitian
The second largest city in Haiti, Cap Haïtien was the original capital of the French colony of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti).
It is filled with picturesque colonial buildings and a large cathedral.
Nearby Milot is home to Sans-Souci Palace and Citadel Laferriere, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Cap Haitien has one of Haiti's two international airports and has a current population exceeding 400,000.
The CEMUCHCA Music School is located downtown near the Cathedral, and occupies a building space no larger than the size of a modest house. Despite its size, the Cemuchca School serves about 250 students. As with the Dessaix-Baptiste School in Jacmel, the Cemuchca School has strong leadership and a profound dedication to its students.
