Today, The Sunday Gleaner begins a series of in-depth feature stories on Jamaican classical musicians who live here or abroad. You will learn more about not only them, but their music of choice and its disciplined beauty.Michael Reckord, Gleaner Writer

WHEN 68-year-old Trevor Beckford, chief organist at Spanish Town's St James Cathedral, gave his 43rd recital at the church on Sunday, November 2, his 12-year-old piano pupil, Brittany Dewdney, shared the programme with him.

While Beckford played long, complex pieces, Brittany played short items suitable for a student, most lasting less than a minute. Both sets of music, though, were by classical composers.

There was a strategy behind Brittany's inclusion, Beckford revealed to The Sunday Gleaner. He wanted the recital to attract young people who, he found, tend not to be interested in classical music nowadays. The strategy worked to a degree: a few children were scattered among the audience of 50 to 60 persons.

Unmoved

But they appeared unmoved by the music, even when Brittany was playing her light, charming pieces, and they seemed quite out of place in the centuries-old church with its well-worn gravestones under the pews. One inscription read: "Here lyeth the body of Hearcey Barritt, who departed this life the 5th day of March 1726 in the 76th year of his age."

Beckford revealed that his more general objective in working with Brittany and the many other youngsters he has trained over the decades - including 35 years teaching music at St Jago High School - was to have someone who, after he stops playing, could "continue the tradition".

Declaring that he had "an innate passion" for music, Beckford said he first became interested in playing the organ when he was only nine years old. At the time, he was a member of the cathedral's junior choir and W.G. Aldred was the organist. "My friend Basil Reece's mother taught music and I went to study piano with her. I did well up to grade eight," Beckford said.

This was during his teenage years while he was a student at St Jago High School, where he engaged in sports - football and cricket, and some track and field. But his real love was music.

Making history

He started teaching himself the organ, eventually becoming the assistant organist (to Leo Wilson) at the cathedral. He held that position from 1954 until April 23, 1961, when he was appointed chief organist. "So, I've been playing the organ there for 54 years," said Beckford, who estimates he is the longest-serving organist in Jamaica.

Abroad, he pursued short courses in music in New York and at the Royal School of Church Music in Croydon, England. The three-and-a-half month certificate course there was "an advanced course in church music for musicians from all over the world". It involved studies in organ accompaniment, choir training and management, ear training, general musicianship, improvisation, history of music, harmony and counterpoint, among other subjects.

Man for all services

Beckford stated he has played at every type of service, including the consecration of bishops, the ordination of priests, marriage ceremonies and regular Sunday services. Additionally, he has played for royalty (the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret in the early 1960s), the archbishop of Canterbury (in 1984) and the archbishop of York (in October 2007), among other distinguished visitors to the cathedral.

"I'm the only organist in Jamaica who does annual organ recitals," Beckford said. Last Sunday's would have been his 47th if the organ had not been out of service, being refurbished, at times.

He said that mentally, if not physically, he begins preparing for an upcoming recital the day after he finishes one. The preparation involves not only choosing the music, but training the cathedral choir and organising publicity. "And I have to arrange to sell programmes. Preparation is total," he said. "I'm a one-man army."

Last Sunday's recital was dedicated to the memory of the recently deceased Alma Jones, wife of Canon Basil Jones. Beckford said he regarded the couple as his "spiritual parents". One item, Silent Night, was a piece Mrs Jones had requested at her funeral, but as it would have been "inappropriate" then; Beckford played it at the recital.

The programme, a typically varied one, said Beckford, included works by Handel, Bach, Mendelssohn and Sibelius. Fela Sowane's Yoruba Lament and the culminating Pedal Offfertoire in C by G.G Dodds Jr were other items.

In expressing his appreciation, former St Jago Principal Victor Edwards spoke of Brittany Dewdney's "budding artistry", an indication that Beckford's work at developing young classical musicians is paying off.