‘Let’s Harp’ about our young musicians

Grunwald, 15, started learning to play the harp at age seven at the Erik Satie Municipal Music School in St Martin d’H?res, France, where she lived with her Trinbagonian mother and French father.

She was introduced to the instrument after a three-year music initiation programme at the same school, studying under Claire Beauville, Mathilde Malenfant and Ann-Claire Cazalet. The latter is also a concert harpist. It was under this teacher that she sat and brilliantly gained success in the French first cycle music exam (possibly the equivalent of a Grade five in the TT system).

In 2003, the family relocated to Trinidad and Tobago and Grunwald was accepted at Bishop Anstey High School, Port-of-Spain. Her new home presents a new and exciting experience but there is one formidable challenge — there are no instructors in the harp in TT.

Undaunted, she has continued to practise with the instrument and has received encouragement and support from Bishop Anstey music teacher, Lorraine Granderson, who not only assists her musically but has given her as much exposure as possible in school concerts, charity events and even in some cases semi-professional events.

Grunwald has made several appearances at gigs alongside some of the school’s talented musicians, notably 20-year-old Kesica Brewster, a friend and former Bishops pupil, with whom Grunwald has performed duets (violin/harp).

Indeed Brewster, herself an extremely talented musician, has helped to keep Grunwald musically alive. They both compose and have performed their compositions.

However, Grunwald’s development is being held back by the absence of technical tutelage and she needs instruction from a harp professional. There is an opportunity for her to participate in a workshop in Venezuela in July this year at the “Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venzuela” under their distinguished concert harpist, Anette L?on. Following this experience, Grunwald hopes to be in a position to help arouse interest in this instrument by budding musicians.

“Let’s Harp On It” not only presents the music of several young performers and features Grunwald on the harp; but it is also, crucially, a fundraiser to offset the cost for this young harpist’s further development. Also performing will be Keisha Baisden, on the violin (music festival winner and Bishop Anstey student), Mark Brewster, a Queen’s Royal College, student, on the flute (another young musician with many festival titles to his name) as well vocal soloists from the Bishop Anstey Choir are some of the talents from an exclusively young group of musicians .

Tickets for “Let’s harp on It” cost $75 Adults and $50 students and children.