英语听力—环球英语 1112 Alpha Boys School

 　　Voice 1

 

　　Welcome to Spotlight¹. I’m Ryan Geertsma.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　And I’m Robin² Basselin. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　That is the sound of reggae music. This kind of music developed in the country of Jamaica. When many people think of Jamaican music, they think of Bob Marley.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Most people do not think of the Alpha Boys School. But maybe they should! The Alpha Boys School trained many famous Jamaican musicians. Some people even say that without the Alpha Boys School, we would not know Bob Marley.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　The goal of the Alpha Boys School is to help boys. It helps boys in trouble - boys who cause trouble, boys in trouble with the law, and boys who do not have parents. Marco Werman is a journalist. He made a film about the Alpha Boys School. In the film, Marco talked with Andrew, a boy who lives at Alpha now. Andrew told Marco why he was at Alpha Boys School.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　“My father could not manage me. I used to give trouble. I used to go on the road. He used to beat me. My father got himself in trouble now. The police got involved. So that is why I am here.”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Alpha Boys School started in 1880 to help boys like Andrew. Since 1890, the school has been managed by the Sisters of Mercy, a Christian³ organization of women. Their goal is that all young men who finish the school will have good character, will respect others, and will be responsible men.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　The Sisters of Mercy and Alpha Boys School provide the boys with clothes, food, and a place to live. They also provide an education for the boys. The older boys receive training in job skills. There are many jobs the boys can learn. Some of the main areas are printing, working with wood, making clothes, and performing music.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　In 1892 the school received a gift of musical instruments. With these instruments the Sisters of Mercy started to train the boys in music. And they gathered the boys into an organized group called the Alpha Boys Band.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　When the Alpha Boys Band began, there were only two kinds of instruments: the fife and drums. The boys learned⁴ to blow through the small fife to create sound. And they learned to hit the drums with their hands or sticks. Over time, more instruments were given to the school. Some boys learned to play metal instruments like the trumpet⁵. And other boys learned to create many sounds on the guitar by moving the strings⁶ in different ways. As a result, the band kept growing.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　By the 1950s boys at the Alpha Boys School received a high quality music education. At this time, Sister Mary Ignatius Davies led the Alpha Boys Band. The boys called her “Iggy”. She loved music. She also found that the boys learned discipline and order through individual and group music studies. Through music she taught the boys order and respect. Sister Ignatius greatly improved the music program at Alpha Boys School.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Winston Martin was a student at Alpha during this time. He is often called “Sparrow,” a name he received from Sister Ignatius. Sparrow is now a famous musician. Sparrow talked about his experience at Alpha with Thomas Green, a writer for the Telegraph⁷ newspaper. He described what a usual day was like when he went to school.

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　"We worked six days a week. Some boys worked in the morning, and some worked in the evening. Those boys who worked in the morning would go to band practice in the evening. And those who worked in the evening would go to band practice in the morning."

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Many Alpha boys developed excellent musical skills. In the 1960s and 1970s, many of Jamaica’s famous musicians had been students at Alpha Boys School. Winston “Sparrow” Martin was one of them. Four other men who had studied at Alpha Boys School started a music group called the Skatalites. This group included Tommy McCook, Johnny "Dizzy" Moore, Lester Sterling⁸, and Don Drummond. They became the first popular music group from Jamaica.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　About this same time, the music culture in Jamaica began to get very popular. Jamaican musicians were mixing elements from different kinds of music. In one song they used elements of jazz and other kinds of music from the United States. Then they added elements like drumming methods from traditional Jamaican music. This is how popular kinds of Jamaican music, like reggae, began.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Some people believe that Alpha Boys School is the reason for the success of music in Jamaica. Laurence Cane-Honeysett is a music consultant⁹ for a music recording¹⁰ company. He shared his thoughts with the Telegraph.

 

　　Voice 5

 

　　"Without the school, there just would not have been the same amount of musical success on the island in the key period of the '60s and '70s. When the Jamaican music industry became a success, it was completely because of those who studied at Alpha Boys School."

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　It is common for these students to still feel loyal¹¹ to the school. Men who now live in other countries started The Alpha Old Boys Association¹². Their goal is to continue to teach, serve and protect the young men of Alpha Boys School. They believe these young men are the future of Jamaica and Jamaican music.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　But Alpha Boys School did not just create excellent musicians. It produced men who also desired to give back to the school and community. Sparrow is still a successful musician. But he now also gathers many Alpha musicians every week. Together they play music for a local church on Sundays. He also teaches music at Alpha Boys School. He wants to give the same chances he had to boys who attend Alpha today. He told Marco Werman why he is so happy he can do this.

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　“I have something to give. Not money, but love. I have that to give. And I am glad that today I got the privilege¹³ to go back to Alpha and teach.”

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Andrew, who is a current student, shared the same desire when he talked to Marco.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　“Music is my dream. I like music. Clothes and everything I have is from Alpha. Food…Alpha gives me all of that. Education, Alpha gives me everything. I have to give good effort and try in school. If I make it in life, if I become successful, I want to give back.”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　The writer of this program was Courtney Schutt. The producer was Ryan Geertsma. The voices you heard were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. You can find this program and others on our website http://www.radio.english.net This .program is called “Alpha Boys School.” We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 robin   

n.知更鸟，红襟鸟

参考例句：

• The robin is the messenger of spring.知更鸟是报春的使者。
• We knew spring was coming as we had seen a robin.我们看见了一只知更鸟，知道春天要到了。

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 learned   

adj.有学问的，博学的；learn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He went into a rage when he learned about it.他听到这事后勃然大怒。
• In this little village,he passed for a learned man.在这个小村子里，他被视为有学问的人。

5 trumpet   

n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘

参考例句：

• He plays the violin, but I play the trumpet.他拉提琴，我吹喇叭。
• The trumpet sounded for battle.战斗的号角吹响了。

6 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

7 telegraph   

n.电报，电报机；v.打电报，显示

参考例句：

• A new telegraph line has been set up between the two cities.那两个城市之间架设了一条新的电报线。
• Telegraph communication was broken off.电讯中断了。

8 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。

9 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

10 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

11 loyal   

adj.忠诚的，忠心的

参考例句：

• He is a loyal friend.他是一位忠诚的朋友。
• I judge him to be loyal.我认为他很忠诚。

12 association   

n.联盟，协会，社团；交往，联合；联想

参考例句：

• Our long association with your company has brought great benefits.我方和贵公司的长期合作带来了巨大的利益。
• I broke away from the association ten years ago.我10年前就脱离了那个团体。

13 privilege   

n.特权，优惠，特许；v.给予优惠，给予特权

参考例句：

• Of course,no country has the privilege of fishing in our coastal water.当然，在我国的领海内没有一个国家有捕鱼的特权。
• He never abuses his privilege.他从不滥用特权。