HARPY EAGLE MUSIC FOUNDATION

The foundations projects are funded by several sources, in kind contributions from friends and well wishers. Voluntary contributions from its members and cash donations from organizations and individuals have helped in a very tremendous way but in most cases barely meet the needs of communities and groups.

THE BUXTON PROJECT: Empowering Afro-Guyanese youth through music

Buxton is an economically depressed community in Guyana, which has gained notoriety for criminal activities by mainly young Afro-Guyanese youth. Buxton however has a rich history and has produced several leading Guyanese but until now is an area that continues to be stigmatized as a haven for criminals.

The Buxton Project started in February 2008 and was designed to counter a serious deteriation in the way youth of this community was viewed by the rest of society. The project, which consists of music classes once a week through the Toucan 11 Multi-Purpose Club for 16 youth provides training in music (both classical and contemporary) and allows a venue for self-expression. The foundation provide guitar and soon, Congo drum training to youth.

THE MORUCA PROJECT

The Spanish Arawaks came to Guyana in the year 1817 fleeing prosecution by Simon Bolivar, and with them came their traditional lifestyles, cultures, and music. However over the years much of this rich history (which is largely oral) and culture has all but disappeared. In 2005 when the foundation made contact with the local community the majority of this music had been lost, for example there were only six (6) persons in the village who knew the songs and all except one had also lost their words or lyrics. In the place of voices violins are used. This served as the catalyst for the Moruca project.

The project started in August, 2005 and aims to preserve local culture through music. The foundation works along with local musicians to help them preserve their musical customs. To date 3 violins have been donated to the community. The foundation also works closely with the school to provide training to school students and has provided training to 12 students. The foundation is also hoping to acquire the services of a violin teacher who will work with the young kids and try to rebuild the violin repertoire in the community. In 2008, with funding from a private person, the foundation also developed a documentary of the Spanish Arawaks in Moruca, which is available upon request.

THE BARTICA PROJECT

In 2008, Bartica gained the worlds attention when a criminal gang killed 13 persons in a violent rampage. Bartica, previously considered a peaceful community was shaken at its core and there is much psychosocial support that is needed. In September 2008, the foundation started collaborating with the St. Anthony Primary School of Bartica and the to introduce a choir to the school. The foundation also has forged a relationship with the Rainforest Culture Group, which is a group of youths who lives and performs culture where the jungles begin outside of Bartica proper. The project will target approximately 16 children between the ages of 6 and 12 who will receive training and technical support from the foundation, This we hope will lead the way to repairing damages caused by a recent and horrifying killing within that community.

ETHNOMUSICOLOGY & FOLKLORE

In an attempt to preserve Guyana's musical and cultural heritage beginning with its Indigenous communities and later arrivals Rohan Sagar has been working amongst the Spanish Arawaks of Moruca and the African-Guyanese community of Buxton. In this regard he has been able to research and document the following:  

Banchikilli - The music of the Spanish Arawaks of Moruca, Guyana. (A recording of 25 Arawak songs with related folklore.)

Songs of Survival - African Music in Buxton Guyana. A research on the traditional drumming patterns and techniques, traditional songs composed on the plantations during both pre- and post emancipation periods.

The Sambura - The Study and Uses of Instruments in traditional Music in Guyana.

Legends of the Patamonas - A collection of the Folklore of one of the last Indigenous nations in Guyana to have kept their culture largely intact.

La Rose - An Emancipation Festival first celebrated by  African slaves, and now their descendants in St. Lucia. Brought to Guyana in the early 1940's this feast was last celebrated in the late 1980s. A collection of La Rose music is presently being researched and attempts are on the way to discover the last King of La Rose.

Music of Kabakaburi - Kabakaburi is a sleepy little village 20 miles from Charity in the Pomeroon River. A collection of seven songs on cassette was discovered in a waste bin in an office ready to be thrown away. Contained are Arawak songs being performed to the  Mari - Mari rhythm. Also on the tape is a copy of David Campbells' "Kabakaburi Children Dancing In The Sun."