Study Abroad World Music in St. Lucia
Why Freeze in Fargo when you can Study Abroad in the Caribbean?
December 30, 2024 - January 12, 2025
Take the LASC Area 8 "Global Perspectives" course "World Music Survey - St. Lucia Study Abroad" (MUS 316) abroad without missing any of your spring classes!
Laborie, St. Lucia!
Join MSUM students led by Dr. Kenyon Williams as we travel to beautiful St. Lucia to study the music and culture of the quiet fishing village of Laborie and participate in the annual Laborie Steel Pan Workshop. This is your chance to explore, learn, relax, rehearse and even perform with a steel band in the coastal village of Laborie, Saint Lucia: home of the 2017 Saint Lucia Panorama Champions, Laborie Steel Pan (which is also home to beautiful Anbakoko beach, just down the street from your accommodation!)
The course consists of classes, lectures, and excursions organized around daily steel pan rehearsals with Grammy-winning American jazz pan master Andy Narell. We will participate in social events with local Laborie Steel Pan members as well as with Workshop participants of all ages from around the world over the course of our trip, culminating in a collaborative community concert performance featuring the workshop participants and Laborie Steel Pan. Participants will spend each day engaged in invigorating discussions, rehearsals, and cultural interactions as we explore how music, history, and culture interact not only in the Caribbean, but around the world (and you’ll still have time each day to hit the beach and go for a swim!)
- Learn to play the Trinidadian steel pan in daily hands-on group lessons with Dr. Williams and Andy Narell (no previous experience/musical background necessary)
- Daily lectures and discussions exploring music and cultures from around the world led by Dr. Kenyon Williams, MSUM Professor of Percussion and World
- Music with extensive research, performance, and travel experience in the Caribbean
- Snorkeling excursion to see the beautiful tropical reefs of Soufriere
- Volcanic mud bath excursion
- Hike to Morne Le Blanc historical overlook
- Visit Balenbouche Estate: a historic sugar cane/slave plantation
- Observe live performances and rehearsals by Laborie Workshop participants, including Grammy-winning jazz pan artist Andy Narell
- Daily interactions with Laborie Steel Pan Workshop participants of all ages from around the world
- Explore the food and culture of a quiet fishing village in the Caribbean as you learn to live and move on your own through the culture around you
- 10 hours of required online instruction upon return to MSUM, course work due by the end of the Spring semester
- Course tuition can be included in your banded Spring tuition
- Eligible for financial aid support (see the MSUM financial aid office ASAP to explore this option!)
- One of the LOWEST COST study abroad options available through MSUM!
Apply to Study Abroad in St. Lucia
- Contact the School of Performing Arts to find out when our next St. Lucia Abroad trip will take place.
- Once you've confirmed the dates, apply on the ViA Travel Abroad website.
- Complete the form and submit it to the School of Performing Arts Office. A deposit of $1000 (cash or checks made-out to "St. Lucia Travel Abroad Account"), by October 1st.
- All deposits are non-refundable unless your admission to the course is denied or the course is canceled due to low enrollment (which will be announced by October 8th).
- Final deposit of $1900 is due by November 1st.
- Estimated total cost is $2900 plus tuition (course fee includes listed course activities as well as airfare, accommodations, one meal per day, and travel insurance)
- Students must possess a valid US Passport at time of travel (no travel visa is necessary)
- Important note: MSUM students will miss the first two days of classes of the spring semester
Past MSUM student participant comments
"It was probably the best trip I've been on. We worked a lot but really had some fun."
"You need to go experience the culture behind the history first-hand, especially when dealing with music."
"I feel like I learned more that 'stuck' with me in this class than any class I've ever taken before!"