Hello once again from Antigua!

Day 3 opened up a plethora of thrilling experiences and a hint of local delights. Starting the day with a bang, we marked our presence on ABS TV’s popular breakfast show ‘Antigua and Barbuda Today’, a fantastic platform to showcase our musical journey and the incredible work we’ve been accomplishing. Ellen spoke on the sofa alongside the incredible Clarita from ABYSO and together they described the journey that everyone had been on already and highlighted the exciting concerts which will be taking place. Including the Junior recital tomorrow (July 11th) at 6:30 at Dean William Lake and the concerts later in the week with ABYSO which we have been rehearsing hard for. Our string quartet, Emily, Rebecca Peter and Emmi performed What a Wonderful World as a musical highlight.

As an entirely new event, Reuben, Ka Youn and Alison led professional development for music teachers on the island. The aim being to support composition teaching within the island and give teachers the confidence to approach creativity within composition too.

Over at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium, the morning transitioned into the afternoon rehearsals and a composition workshop  led by the trio of Reuben, Ka Youn and Alison. They introduced us to the concept of graphic scores, an innovative notation method using visual symbols to convey music. For the members of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO), this represented a novel approach to musical interpretation. They took to it admirably, and their debut performances using a graphic score were indeed an aural treat.

Following the composition workshop, we divided into our respective sections. Maestro Reuben guided the wind players while violist Peter took the string section. The objective was to refine our collective sound and explore the creation of ‘colours’ in music through the careful manipulation of bow speeds and pressures. It was a deeply engaging exercise that underscored the nuances of orchestral performance.

In the midst of these musically intense activities, we also managed to hit the airwaves once again. Peter, Ellen, and Connor made an appearance on the popular radio programme ‘We the People’. Their lively discussion and shared experiences added another dimension to our ongoing engagement with the local Antiguan media landscape.

To top off an eventful day, we were introduced to a local favourite – Ting. This traditional Antiguan drink, a fizzy grapefruit soda, proved to be a delicious hit among the team! It offered a refreshing escape from the tropical heat and left us all eager to explore more local culinary delights.

Looking back at Day 3, from sharing our music on national TV, delving into detailed workshops, engaging with the radio audience, to sipping on delightful local drinks, we’ve truly resonated with the vibrant pulse of Antigua. We’re buzzing with anticipation for what Day 4 will bring!

Hello from Antigua! Day 2 greeted us with a stunning sunrise, the perfect remedy for the lingering jetlag that had everyone up and about by 4 a.m.! Luckily, the soothing blues of the Caribbean Sea were waiting for us. After an early morning dip, the aroma of a delightful Antiguan breakfast wafted across the beach, fresh mango is definitely the perfect start to a day.

As we bobbed and swam in the crystal-clear water, we soon discovered we had company. To our delight, we spotted a stingray, gliding with a gracefulness that was captivating to witness. Nearby, a Caribbean cushion starfish lay on the sandy floor, its bright colour a striking contrast to the pale seabed, serving as a wonderful reminder of the vibrant and diverse life beneath the sea’s surface.

Revitalised by our morning swim, we redirected our focus to the day’s musical exploits. In the afternoon, our driver Charles ferried us to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, a place usually echoing with the excitement of cricket, but today, it hummed with a different kind of rhythm. The Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO) was deep into their rehearsal when we arrived, their dynamic music filling the air with an electrifying energy.

We dispersed into our respective sections – strings, wind, brass, and percussion – each group dedicated to refining their parts, the stadium reverberating with the harmonies of each instrument in practice. The high point of our afternoon was a composition workshop led by our own Reuben and Connor. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for music were contagious, guiding us through the intricate process of composing and fine-tuning a musical piece. We were introduced to an experimental piece by the innovative composer, Pauline Oliveros. This immersive, exploratory composition tested our boundaries, and performing it together fostered a deeper connection amongst us and with the music.

As the afternoon sun cast longer shadows, we reconvened as a full orchestra, prepping for the forthcoming concerts. Under Maestro Roland’s baton, we practised for the performances on the 15th of July at the grand Weatherills Estate and the 16th at the Fisheries Complex on Barbuda. The orchestra is evidently in excellent shape and eager for the grand finale performances just a few days away.

Upon our return to the hotel, our string quartet assembled to prepare a special performance for the breakfast TV show ‘Antigua and Barbuda Today’ on ABS Television the following morning. It’s a thrilling chance for some of our string players to put together something fresh and new. Tomorrow also sees the first ever teacher CPD event for composition within Antigua. We’re looking forward to sharing more about these exciting developments tomorrow!