C Force chamber ensemble at NAPA tomorrow

Vivacious and innovative, C Force is a chamber ensemble that offers a unique approach to the traditional concept of chamber music. The combination of their instruments of expertise (flute, euphonium and piano) allows for many types of classical music interpretation. Their individual and collective interests in regional and world music also afford many opportunities for the exploration of performances of all types of non-traditional musical forms. Ensemble members Christine Gangelhoff, Chris Justilien, and Christy Lee are all faculty members at The College of The Bahamas

Since its formation four years ago, the group has been featured in concert not only at the College but also by the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, the National Trust of The Bahamas, and at various churches and schools throughout the island of New Providence.

Their first CD, Tchaka Mizik, was released in October 2010 and is a reflection of C Force’s unique fusion of cultures and styles. It includes traditional classical music in original works by Caribbean composers, transcriptions of popular European opera duets, adaptations of folk music of Haiti, and an original composition by C Force member Christian Justilien that showcases the once-popular goombay style of The Bahamas. Most recently C Force appeared in performance at the IV International Music, Identity and Culture in the Caribbean Conference in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Hailed by Jamaican pianist Paul Shaw as “sheer magic,” the members of C Force are unified in their desire to encourage music education in The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean region and in their passion towards the commitment to the musical art form.

Dr Christine Ganglehoff also comes to research and document Art Music in Trinidad and is hoping to meet composers and compile a list of works that can be included in her Bibliography of Caribbean Art Music which is currently under construction. You can see her work to date on this collection at the following web address: http://journals.sfu.ca/cob/index.php/files/issue/view/30.