Mr. Lennox Vanterpool and Mr. Kasem Thompson
Young Anguillian musicians Kyiv Edwards (saxophone), and Kasem Thompson (trombone) will be among featured performers in the American Protege Winners Recital at Carnegie Hall, New York, on Sunday April 1 , 11:30 am. The duo will be accompanied by pianist Kamal Vanterpool.
Kasem and Kyiv were adjudged second place winners in January of this year, after their audition video was reviewed by a panel of adjudicators on behalf of the prestigious organization.
The American Protege Competition under the auspices of Carnegie Hall, seeks to expose and promote talented musicians in a competitive environment. Edwards and Thompson were entered in the amateur category of the woodwinds and brass division.
Carnegie Hall’s mission is to present ‘extraordinary music and musicians on three stages: providing visionary education programs, bringing the transformative power of music to the widest possible audience and to foster the future of music through the cultivation of new works, artists and audiences.
Director of The Morlens School of Music Mr Lennox Vanterpool spoke of the local music institute’s drive to aid in the development and advancement of youth through music study. “This excellent opportunity for these three youngsters is yet another demonstration of well directed talent and conscientious focus. We thank God for them and for His guiding hand in their lives, and we know they will represent Morlens and Anguilla with integrity.” Vanterpool also reserved kind appreciation for his colleague, pianist and piano pedagogue Irina Kaufman for information and guidance leading to the entry and participation of the successful candidates.
Edwards, Thompson and Vanterpool possess formidable talent, being fluent on several musical instruments. They perform leading roles in music ensembles on the island having benefitted from a wide range of private studio and public school tuition, as well as several extra ordinary music making experiences, most notably UVI’s Summer Band Camp,which they have attended regularly for several summers.
This achievement has prompted the sharing of many congratulatory expressions so much so that family members, well wishers and friends residing in the New York area, have already made plans and secured tickets to attend the performance.
