Go Compose, South Africa!

19th September 2021

In September 2021, The Commonwealth Resounds ran Go Compose, South Africa, in partnership with Access Music South Africa, sponsored by the ABRSM. In spite of very dodgy internet access in South Africa, this lovely project enabled 12 young South African musicians to compose their own music and hear it performed for the very first time.

The Go Compose concept is a very exciting one and having now experienced the project, it was just wonderful to see how well it works. The presenters were able to introduce compositional techniques and ideas in such a simple and accessible way. We really appreciated the flexibility of the project – allowing learners to use their own tastes and inspirations to inform their work, without sticking rigidly to the style. I really loved seeing how the learners’ original work was honoured, while really simple suggestions were made that enhanced the compositions. I think this will have really opened up our learners’ eyes to compositional processes as well as giving them insight into all the kinds of creative possibilities that are out there.

After the concert I asked the learners what they made of the whole process. I asked if they found it difficult and most expressed that it had indeed been challenging (which is only natural and also a good thing), but I asked if the workshop had given them a feeling that they would like to try more composing and there was a genuine and unanimous yes! They were already asking how we can do more of this and when?

I think the concert and video aspect of the project is just brilliant. It was so affirming for the learners to see results from their work -finished products performed by professional musicians – and to have their achievements recorded on a public platform in a professionally produced video. I really hope there will be scope for you to continue this great work as it truly is a very
special project.

Shiloh Marsh

Project Manager, Access Music, South Africa

Third Culture Collective announced as Commonwealth Resounds’ Ensemble-in-Association

28th May 2021

As one of the Commonwealth’s only musically accredited organisations, The Commonwealth Resounds facilitates cross-cultural projects, partnerships and performances with a focus on music education. The Third Culture Collective will be joining the Dionysus Ensemble as The Commonwealth Resounds’ second associated ensemble. Ensemble-in Association is a three-year post, during which time the ensemble will receive assistance and support in kind. As well as this, there will be exciting opportunities to network and collaborate with new partners and projects, especially those from other Commonwealth accredited organisations.

The Third Culture Collective is an exciting new ensemble, directed by British Indian music director, composer, singer and keyboardist Kavi Pau. Its aim is to bring together musicians from South Asian and Western cultures to perform new music and share their approach to music-making through performance, collaboration days and workshops. They seek to make western classical music more accessible to the next generation of British Asians, inspiring them to take pride in their mixed musical heritage and to inspire Western musicians to experiment with South Asian sounds.

Alison Cox OBE, Founder of The Commonwealth Resounds says: “We are delighted to welcome the Third Culture Collective to the Commonwealth family! The ensemble’s vision of bringing musicians from different cultural backgrounds together to share new music chimes perfectly with that of The Commonwealth Resounds, and I am absolutely delighted to welcome Kavi and his musicians as our new Ensemble-in-Association. We hope to develop exciting projects together, facilitate collaborations and partnerships, and to help support their work in any way that we can.” 

Kavi Pau, Founder and Director of the Third Culture Collective says: “We are honoured to be appointed as Ensemble-in-Association with The Commonwealth Resounds and are excited to form a partnership together. The Commonwealth Resounds is an organisation whose own values resonate strongly with the Third Culture Collective. We both believe that the future of music is collaborative and cross-cultural. As a result of this association, we look forward to connecting with other Commonwealth partners and furthering our music-making in the UK and across the world” 

Kavi Pau’s earliest musical experiences were in Indian music, studying the harmonium and Hindustani singing with Pravinaben Patel. Kavi won a choral scholarship to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he studied music, graduating in 2018 with a prize-winning double-first class degree. Alongside his work as Director of the Third Culture Collective, he is also Director of Music at St Barnabas Church, Ealing and is the Founder Director of Ensemble 1517, a choir specialising in the music of the Lutheran Reformation. He combines these posts with regular freelance activities and also teaches at the University of Cambridge.

To find out more about the Third Culture Collective, see their website www.thirdculturecollective.co.uk