Birdsong campers show off skills
There was a sense of pride, joy and achievement among the participants of the Birdsong Academy’s Music Vacation Camp closing concert on Saturday evening at Queen’s Hall in St Anns.
This was the 16th edition of the closing concert where over 100 students participated in voice, brass, guitar, steelpan and percussion.
The theme of this year’s concert was Resilience and according to director Dennis Phillip, “At the camp the focus was on building resilience. We tried to impart to the children the lesson that resilience is all about the choices they make after the inevitable setbacks and disappointments faced on life’s journey.
“The maxim for the closing concert is lighting a spark of resilience to blaze into a flame of musical excellence.”
The concert truly blazed into musical excellence when the academy orchestra (pan and brass) performed New World Symphony arranged and conducted by Jesus Bertram Acosta.
They received a standing ovation from some very proud parents. This was the first time in 14 years founder of the orchestra Richard Quarless was not present. He is currently recovering from major surgery.
But it goes to show the great job he has done with the students as they have now stepped in and continued his work seamlessly.
Before that exciting performance, the small ensemble dedicated their performance to the late Raf Robertson a former tutor and creator of the ensemble. They were led by Derrianne Dyett and included Nyol Manswell, Isoke Noel, Jasmine Adams and Nicholas Jones among others. Frankie McIntosh was a guest player with the ensemble.
The packed Queen’s Hall audience saw performances by the junior pan, junior wind and brass, guitars, percussion, chamber choir, full choir and the academy steel and academy brass. Manswell was the master of ceremonies.
By Gary Cardinez
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
