Alpha School of Music Students Head to Hampton for Fifth-Year Supernova Ska Festival
When the bell rings at Kingston’s Alpha School of Music, the next stop is Hampton, Virginia, where the school’s students and staff will join the Supernova International Ska Festival on September 12‑13, 2026. The trip marks the institution’s fifth consecutive year attending one of the United States’ largest events devoted solely to ska.
The Alpha School of Music sits on South Camp Road in Kingston and traces its roots back to 1880, when the Sisters of Mercy founded the original Alpha Boys School. The school’s music program has long been a cradle for Jamaican talent, producing figures who shaped ska, rocksteady, reggae, and jazz. Notable alumni include Don Drummond, Tommy McCook, Rico Rodriguez, Lester Sterling, Johnny “Dizzy” Moore, Vin Gordon, Cedric “Im” Brooks, and two‑time Grammy nominee Yellowman.
The 2026 festival, staged at historic Fort Monroe, will host roughly 30 bands from around the world, spanning the original Jamaican scene, the 2‑tone revival, and third‑wave ska. Yellowman is scheduled to perform on September 13, alongside veteran Jamaican acts Derrick Morgan and Stranger Cole, and international performers such as The Aggrolites (USA), Pauline Black (UK), and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (Japan).
Alpha’s participation is made possible by a coalition of Supernova patrons, S Hotels Jamaica, Budget Car Rentals Jamaica, and the clothing brand Jamaica Nice. In a statement, Gay Magnus, Alpha’s director of music, thanked the supporters: “Many thanks to our generous and committed supporters in Jamaica and from the Supernova Ska community for making this unique opportunity possible for Alpha students and staff.”
Festival director Tim Receveur highlighted the historical link: “The Alpha School of Music’s connection to ska is part of the history that makes the genre so important, and its students are carrying that legacy forward.” He added that the partnership benefits both parties: “Our relationship with Alpha gives Supernova audiences the opportunity to meet the next generation of Jamaican musicians while giving Alpha students experiences and connections that they cannot get anywhere else. We are proud to support Alpha and to welcome its students to Supernova each year.”
During the weekend, Alpha students will dive into the business side of music. They will attend workshops on event production, promotion, and logistics, and will network with musicians, festival patrons, and other industry professionals. A charity event headlined by New York ska band The Slackers will also take place, providing additional networking opportunities.
The Supernova Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, channels festival proceeds into scholarships and educational programs at both the Alpha School of Music and local institutions in Hampton. The alliance has previously donated equipment to Alpha and released vinyl records to raise funds for the school. A saxophone once owned by Jamaican ska pioneer Roland Alphonso was donated by a Supernova patron and will be auctioned, with proceeds earmarked for music training in Jamaica.
Alpha’s campus has undergone extensive renovations covering nearly 20,000 square feet, expanding its facilities to support music education and career preparation for young musicians. The school’s curriculum now includes practical training aimed at helping students transition from classroom to professional settings.
The 2026 Supernova International Ska Festival will therefore serve as a live laboratory for Alpha students, allowing them to witness how the music pioneered by Jamaicans more than six decades ago continues to resonate worldwide. The event is expected to reinforce the cultural and educational ties between Jamaica and the United States while providing a platform for emerging talent.
As the festival approaches, Alpha School of Music officials confirm that all arrangements for travel, accommodation, and participation have been finalized. The students and staff are set to depart in early September, returning with new insights into the global ska community and the business mechanisms that sustain it.
