Day 4 of our journey in Antigua began on a slightly quieter note, providing a peaceful backdrop to the bustling energy that was soon to follow for the musicians. The calm of the morning was not afforded to our composers who devoted their time to delivering a Continual Professional Development (CPD) session. The location? Antigua All Girls School in the vibrant city of St. John’s.

The session revolved around the vital task of supporting teachers in their approach to composition. This has started with general compositional techniques such as how to get children composing using a minute of silence, body percussion, improvisation. Teaching composition goes beyond mere techniques or theories. It’s about empowering educators to inspire creativity in their students, enabling them to craft their own unique musical narratives. It was a delight to engage with local teachers, and we felt a sense of shared understanding and passion that transcended cultural and geographical boundaries.

With the insightful morning session behind us, we shifted our focus to the afternoon rehearsal. There’s a certain magic that comes to life when an orchestra begins to work together. It’s not just about the notes on the page; it’s about the shared energy, the camaraderie, the silent understanding between each musician as they breathe life into the composition. This is something the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra have in bucket loads. We have always been so blown away by the energy and enjoyment that the young people show every time they pick up their instruments.

Our composers spent the afternoon leading a series of workshops. Each participant was encouraged to come up with a 3 or 4 note motif. This motif, simple as it may sound, was then used as the bedrock to develop intricate melodies. The exercise proved to be an engaging exploration into the transformative power of music. With just a few notes, we created a multitude of melodies, each imbued with the composers own character and emotion.

As the day drew to a close, we embarked on a culinary adventure. The evening meal introduced us to a local Antiguan favourite – the ‘Patty’. Made with a flaky pastry crust and filled with a spiced chicken filling, the Antiguan ‘Patty’ is comfort food at its best. It was the perfect end to a day that was as fulfilling as it was exhilarating.

To close our day, we enjoyed the ABYSO Initials and Juniors recital. This younger group has been set up to train up the next generation of musicians for the ABYSO senior orchestra. Having enjoyed an astonishing display of talent, we can tell you that ABYSO are certainly going to be safe and secure for the foreseeable future. The concert finished with the Commonwealth Resounds joining the Junior orchestra to support them as they performed a selection of pieces.

This day has taken a little longer to write up than usual, you’ll find out why soon!

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!