Where musicians are forged and shaped

“Anyone here who has an ambition to make their own music?” An arm gets slowly stretched behind a silver-grey keyboard. No reply, just a silent smile. It moves me. She is only seven years old. That’s what I call ambition!

Saturday morning in July, the sun shines over the village of French Harbour and The Culture House. Behind curtains in the inner room, beyond a library that envelops a beautiful painted tree that is surrounded by walls with marine art, and an exhibition with local images and items from different ages, six young students are manning an accordion, keyboards, a blow organ, and a classical guitar, performing traditional pieces from Central America. The bass player and the drummer are absent. It’s a diverse group, with some of them having been there a few months, while others have been there for up to ten years. The teacher is the Culture House’s director, Jhon Giron Manzanares, who is also one of the founders of the house.

I am here as a reporter as well as a musician, composer and producer.

“This is called El Carbonero,”
Anna shows me the sheet of music and says the piece is from Guatemala, and the title means “The Coalman”. She is currently playing the accordion, but has been taking piano lessons during the 10 years she has been at the school. “Do you have any musical ambitions?” I ask. Anna is not sure; she just likes to stick around and play. 

Elena, however, behind one of the keyboards, is seven years old and wants to make her own music.

I tell them the group that it starts with a dream. “If you do not tell yourself that you are going to be the best in music, it will never happen. It seems braggy, but if you want to climb to the top, you have to start by convincing yourself.”

I am introduced by the Director Jhon as an international producer. Nowadays, we not only have to write, compose, and record, but we have to produce our own music as well. Gone are the days of giant music studios, and I wonder how the musical future will be for them when Artificial Intelligence (AI) strikes and creates lots of music.

My final message to the young musicians is:
“Remember that music comes from inside. Cheer up and enjoy your playing!”
I ask them if I can come back and see if any of them want to join me in a concert. They are definitely interested. They also want me to perform at one of their concerts.

It is great to see young people perform and enjoy it.

Director Jhon tells us that they have three basic levels, each lasting 96 hours of classes, with credits awarded for each level. That is, each level lasts one year, or 12 months. They work with textbooks provided according to each level for each instrument.

The House of Culture is supported by contributions from art classes and advertising from their television programs, specifically “Conversando con Jhon,” which airs Monday through Friday on InfoInsular Channel 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. Currently, they only have three companies advertising on their programs: Galaxy Wave, Dream Ferris, and Carnicería Rosita. Admission to the House of Culture is free, and using the library books is also free. The contributions from parents and advertising revenue from these companies help sustain the teachers’ salaries and the monthly operational expenses, including taxes, for their work in historical argumentation and the promotion of the arts.

The music and art school has a busy schedule. If you are reaching for the skies or just want to learn an instrument or how to sing, you can contact the Culture House here:

Email: DIRECTORROATANCULTUREHOUSE@GMAIL.COM
WhatsApp: (504) 9570-8191

The registration fee is 10 USD
The monthly fee is 50 USD

There is a lot of options if you want to be a part of the classes:

Next time we will visit the art classes!

Director Jhon has a special message for the communities in Roatan: 

“On August 28th at 7:00 PM, we will have a very special concert. We are still arranging the venue, as the House of Culture does not have its own theater, and we are seeking spaces in hotels or restaurants that can host us.

We call on companies and kind-hearted individuals to join our efforts. The House of Culture of the Bay Islands does not receive funding from the central government, and we rely on the work of our teachers, donations, and community support. The Roatán Municipality has provided us with the ground floor of the French Harbour Community Building, but we need more collaboration to continue growing and to offer opportunities for children, youth, and adults.

Thanks to your support, over these 11 years, we have trained many people and promoted culture in our region. Together, we can continue making history!”

Help them spread the words!