SACO presents ‘Symphony Classics’

In 2006 the Board of the St Augustine Chamber Orchestra (SACO) in its ongoing plans to offer the nation’s children an engaging, entertaining, and educational experience of various genres and styles of music including classical, pop, and local music in both string and symphonic repertoire, decided to partner with Glorious Sounds, Tobago’s premiere concert band led by Pastor David Elder, and several music schools across the country towards the formation of a truly twin island orchestra — The Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic.

This year the partnership has been extended to the Bishop Anstey and Trinity College East Schools (BATCE) where 20 students have been awarded scholarships for three intensive weeks in the study of an orchestral instrument.

The programme has shown steady growth with approximately 200 youths ages five-24, playing strings, wind, brass, and percussion instruments.

This increase has been due largely to the growth of the music programmes at the University School, the Bishop Anstey and Trinity College East Schools (BATCE), and SACO’s own recruitment drive.

The Youth Philharmonic has been participating in a three week Monday-Friday workshop at the Bishop Anstey and Trinity College East Schools (BATCE).

They are being tutored by a team of fourteen Venezuelan string, wind, and brass specialists, led by Hemath Jahoor of the FESNOJIV programme in Venezuela and Kenneth Listhrop, former Music teacher of the International School of Port-of-Spain and the University School, St Augustine.

The orchestra rehearses twice weekly on Thursdays 5:30 pm -8:30 pm, and Saturdays 6 pm- 9 pm at the University School in St Augustine. Tickets for the concert are available at Bishop Anstey and Trinity East High School and the Queen’s Hall Box Office.