Trombonist Jeshaun Charles, oboist Elysia Armstrong and bassoonist Jeiel Charles have all successfully auditioned for a place on one the Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) ensembles. The MYS is based in Portland, Oregon in the United States and provides music education and performance opportunities for young musicians of all ages and levels of experience.

Elysia and Jeiel will rehearse with the MYS Sinfonietta Orchestra which is an intermediate orchestra that introduces young musicians to fun and challenging music at a very crucial moment in their artistic development. The Sinfonietta works under the direction of celebrated Venezuelan conductor Giancarlo Castro D’Addona, formerly a member of the Simon Bolívar Orchestra. They will cover symphonic repertoire, music from films, video games, Broadway shows and polish their ensemble playing abilities.

 Jeshaun is a member of the Interlude Orchestra conducted by MYS Music Director Raúl Gómez. This is also a full orchestra.  Musicians must be able to play with a nice tone, accurate intonation and have good rhythm skills. Speaking of the opportunity, Jeshaun said: “I was delighted when I found out that I was selected to be part of the MYS 3-month virtual programme.  I have been playing the trombone for 2 years and this opportunity with the MYS Interlude Ensemble will only enhance my musical skills as a trombonist so that I can, in turn, give back to the ABYSO.  I promise to work hard so that I can represent my parents, Antigua and Barbuda and ABYSO well”.

Music Director of the MYS Raúl Gómez in speaking of the selections said: “We are delighted to welcome these talented young musicians from Antigua and Barbuda into our ensembles. We are thankful to the Global Leaders Program for the connection. We hope that this is an opportunity that will open new doors for music students from different countries, and will enrich the experience of our own local students in Portland”.

The ABYSO was introduced to the MYS by one of its strategic partners, Raúl Vergara, Co-Founder and Director of International Programs of the Global Leaders Program. Raúl stated: “We would like to congratulate MYS for their initiative to welcome students from Antigua and Barbuda. We also congratulate the students of the ABYSO for their achievement”.

The programme will run from 12th September to 19th December with weekly sessions of three hours per week via zoom. The ABYSO congratulates Elysia, Jeiel and Jeshaun on their successful audition. The ABYSO remains committed to exposing young, talented musicians from Antigua and Barbuda to first-class tuition and performance opportunities.

Categories: ABYSO News