Music teacher’s book urges children to be Music Stars

A Bermuda music teacher has written a book in the hope of hitting the right note with youngsters.

Otis Gibbs, who teaches at Warwick’s Purvis Primary, said: “The purpose of it is to get youngsters to understand about music and bring forward the idea of the xylophone as a musical instrument — a lot of people think it’s cumbersome, but it’s not.

“The book features the full-size xylophone, which you don’t see much in Bermuda — it’s very similar to the steel pan drum.”

The book — We are Music Stars — features the exploits of two youngsters and their father, a keen musician, who encourages them to learn the vibraphone, a type of xylophone, and the flute.

Mr Gibbs said: “I want kids to take the time to learn — kids love music, but to sit down and take the time to practice is something you really
have to work to get them to do.”

He added: “I play seven instruments, but in this particular book, I concentrated on the xylophone.”

The book, featuring twins Zak and Epi, is set in Mr Gibbs’ homeland of St Croix, in the US Virgin Isles, where it was recently launched.

We are Music Stars, co-written with Shanda Ramnarine, is now available in Brown & Co. on Front Street, Hamilton, for local buyers.

Mr Gibbs, 40, said: “The book also comes with a theme song and I’m working with a record company to iron out copyright and things like that.”

Mr Gibbs has taught music in Bermuda schools for several years, but left to go back to the US Virgin Islands to work as a music teacher and tour with a well-known reggae artiste before returning to Bermuda a year ago.

In addition to teaching, he is a choir director, music producer and records music in his own right.

We are Music Stars is his first shot at print, but he said he was already working on a new book featuring Zac and Epi.

Mr Gibbs said: “It’s about black girls who have African hair, but who want straight hair – it’s to encourage them to embrace their uniqueness and embrace music as well.”

We are Music Stars is available at Brown & Co., priced $25.