Public workshop with young players

In reply Newsday hoped the Ensemble would use the “shell” so there would be no need of microphones and electronic amplification but, feared gala performances here tend to demand dressing up the stage with drapes and greenery and fancy lighting effects that can’t be used when the “shell” is in position.

Ah well, we shall see whether decoration wins over purity of tone . . .

Director of the Orchestra, “Boss Lady” Hazel Province explained what the public can expect in each of the three concerts presented by the Patrons of Queen’s Hall. In preparation for the concerts, on Thursday the Ensemble met eight young Trinidadian musicians who have been rehearsing an extract of “Tales of the Islands” for a coaching and rehearsal session.

At 10 am today the public is invited to a Master Class with the young players and a workshop performance of “Tales of the Islands”. The highlight of the three-part series is the Gala on Saturday under the patronage of President George Maxwell Richards; the reception begins at 7 p m and the concert at 8 p m. The programme features “Mozart’s String Divertimento” — would it be the E flat? We omitted to note the details — and then the Trinidad Premiere of Dominique Le Gendre’s “Tales of the Islands”

The Sunday Matinee begins with Philip Harmer as the soloist in the Mozart Oboe quartet followed by the main feature: “Tales of the Islands”.