From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

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Alpha Cottage School (often referred to as Alpha Boys School) is a school on South Camp Road in Kingston, Jamaica, run by Roman Catholic nuns. Established in 1880 as a "school for wayward boys", it became renowned for both the discipline it instilled in its pupils and the outstanding musical tuition they received. The school has had its own band since 1892, originally a drum and fife corps and later a brass band after the gift of brass instruments from the Roman Catholic Bishop of Jamaica, and has been credited with influencing the development of reggae.

Noted music instructors included:

• Lennie Hibbert
• Eric Deans, as well as
• Sister Mary Ignatius Davis.

Noted alumni include Desmond Dekker, four founder members of the Skatalites: Tommy McCook, Johnny "Dizzy" Moore, Lester Sterling and Don Drummond, Cedric Brooks, Rico Rodriguez, Yellowman, Vin Gordon. Saxophonist and flautist Harold McNair, saxophonist Joe Harriott, "Deadly" Headley Bennett, and singer Leroy Smart.

See also

• List of schools in Jamaica