Counting down to Antigua & Barbuda 2026
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The Commonwealth Resounds at CHOGM 2026
In October & November 2026, The Commonwealth Resounds will bring together musicians, composers and educators in Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), taking place from 1 to 4 November. Through performances, workshops and creative collaboration, our visit will celebrate the Commonwealth’s musical and cultural diversity, creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to share ideas, learn from one another and build friendships.
Building on our longstanding connections with Antigua and Barbuda, international musicians will perform alongside members of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra in a special World Orchestra. The programme also includes creative music and poetry workshops, contributions to the Commonwealth People’s Forum and participation in the Commonwealth Music Conference. Working with local musicians and Commonwealth Music Ambassadors, the team will share different musical traditions and approaches to teaching, composing and performing, with young people playing an active part in the exchange.
We want this visit to create opportunities that continue long after the final performance. By making music together, participants can develop confidence, discover different perspectives and recognise the value of their own creativity. As Commonwealth leaders gather to discuss our shared future, the project will demonstrate how investment in music and the arts can support young people, strengthen communities and sustain connections across borders.
The TCR team
Venelle Powell
St Kitts & Nevis - Singer
Elijah Kiwalabye
Uganda
Alison
UK
Ellen Wilkinson
Oboe - UK
Natty Purbrick
Composition - UK
Find out what is going on...
Kindly supported by
The Government of Antigua & Barbuda
Revere Arts
Saint Kitts & Nevis
National Youth Orchestra Canada
ABYSO
Royal College of Music
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
The Maria Björnson Memorial Fund
University of Glasgow
Royal Ballet School
Commonwealth People's Forum
Commonwealth Secretariat
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, 2026
Commonwealth Youth Forum
Rotary International
Auckland Philharmonia
Thrive Academy, Uganda
Flip Loghouse
Sean Falcone Superyacht Marina and Resort Hotel
Dina & Andrew, Rottenhill Studios
Aidan - The Loft
Ida Levine
Debbie Buffini
Anonymous donors
Photos
Ka Youn and Reuben lead discussions around our instrumentalists and how we can use them through the week to ensure that everyone has access to a top world class musician.
The Film group exploring Ka Youn's latest creation
The afternoon performance was a chance to hear the music which has been created so far.
The film course present one of their works to the whole group
The jazz workshop allowed everyone to hear the creativity of the day. Here the Jazz team share their ideas.
English Harbour on the tour of Antigua
The Commonwealth Resounds team with their Excellencies John Hamilton MBE, Resident British Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, Charley Williams MBE, Deputy Head of Mission to Barbados and Non-Resident High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill OBE, High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom and member of the Commonwealth's Board of Governors.
The Jazz musicians in action. Developing a deep sense of rhythm to start the course
Lily experiences the magnificent Sir Vivien Richards Stadium for the first time from the press gallery
Reuben outlines his requirements for the music and spoken word course.
The wind ensemble share their creative works with Lily performing the newly composed music
A film taster group explore music within film
The fusion course presenting their music
The wind and brass composition team ask the students to demonstrate their instruments and explain the techniques to make different sounds.
Ellen and Reuben put the finishing touches onto the resources for their course
Lily and Rosemary visit the ABS TV Studios for an early morning performance
The jazz students with Reuben and Rosie the tutors
Painted by one of the students as inspiration from the fusion course.
Our evening sunsets are pretty stunning
The Film group met up with John Hamilton MBE, Resident British Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, Charley Williams MBE, Deputy Head of Mission to Barbados and Non-Resident High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill OBE, High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom and member of the Commonwealth's Board of Governors.
Jamie leads the instrumental composition group.
Ka Youn introduces the music and film course
The fusion team have the opportunity to develop their skills in composition.
The team from Montserrat and St Kitts & Nevis
The team join together to perform with ABYSO
The Jazz team preparing for the concert on stage at Lucky Eddie's
Lily & Rosemary performing on Antigua Barbuda today
The group gather for the final time as the course drew to a close. Alison Cox MBE congratulated everyone on their achievements and outlined the plans for the next day's concert.
Ka Youn and Ellen preparing for their TV and Radio interviews
A Caribbean Sunset at Jolly Beach
Venelle shared an amazing fruit called a Soursop with the visitors. It certainly is rather sour, but delicious at the same time!
The team leaving Gatwick airport ready for their adventure in Antigua
Alison cox OBE introduces the concert, the first of its kind in the Caribbean.
Her Excellency, Karen-May Hill, High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda welcomes everyone to the first ever pan Caribbean Composition Course!
Calynia, Ellen and Ka Youn on ABS Radio
Sir Vivien Richards Cricket ground where the course is taking place
Our fusion course mixes words and music.
The team get together for an early breakfast meeting to plan and prepare their week's activities.
The team land in Antigua Airport
Ka Youn introduces herself and the film composition course.
Our students started to play their pieces and record them for the film music. Here one of our double basses started to put together some tunes.
Kahn Cordice Demonstrating Steel Pan
The film group showcase their graphic scores and discuss ideas for their music.
The class of 2024! The commonwealth resounds team are all together for the closing of the course
Lily and Rosemary our clarinet and saxophonist outside before the ABYSO concert
The team enjoying the view from Shirley Heights over English harbour
The Sir Vivien Richards Stadium looking incredible under the Antiguan sunshine.
Reuben Bance (TCR), Calynia Edwards and Herman Francis interviewed on Observer Radio
Students working on their films. This group have the theme of the oceans and are working on a film from the Commonwealth Blue Charter
The St Kitts & Nevis team
Reuben shows off his Korean drum
Ka Youn with one of her students from the first Composition concert in the Caribbean
Alison, Herman & Calynia interviewed on ABS Radio
The Jazz course present music for everyone to hear what they had been looking at today
Bursting at the seems for Kahn Cordice's masterclass and Pan Demonstration
The film group discuss how their music fits with their movie clips.
Students performing a sample of their music alongside their films for everyone to hear what has been achieved.
Kahn Cordice demonstrating Steel Pan and how to arrange and compose for Steel pan
Gabriel leads a jazz workshop looking at how rhythm can be used and cross rhythms created!
Ellen is reunited with her oboe students. She has taught them online since 2019 but only met in person twice before!
Students use a variety of media to write out music and their ideas.
Students are supported and work together with our musicians to create new music they are proud of.
Peter & Reuben rehearsing for the concert on stage at Lucky Eddie's
The TCR team on their tour of Antigua
The Commonwealth Resounds team outside the ABS TV Studios
An Antiguan student trying out new compositions
The Wind and Brass composition group perform to the team
The Film group prepare a graphic score in groups as an icebreaker activity.
Lucy and Lily recorded some of Composer Ka Youn's works at Jolly Beach just after a quick evening swim in the sea!
Alison Cox before her interview on Antigua Barbuda Today
The Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams, addresses the incredible young composers at the end of the first ever Composition Concert in the Caribbean.
Musicians preparing to demonstrate
Peter, Ellen, Lily and Rosemary prepare for the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO) Concert at the American University of Antigua
The TCR musicians outside the TV studios
Calynia and Alison on Antigua Barbuda today
Rosemary and Lily perform a new work specially composed by Ka Koun for ABS radio and TV
The Montserrat musicians
Micah introduces his composition which was performed by professional musicians at Lucky Eddi's in English Harbour, Antigua.