It was yet another stellar performance by the band of versatile musicians of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, as they meticulously showcased their undisputable talents in Sound Review on the afternoon of Sunday, September 16th, at the St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in East End. The ensembles skillfully played to the thrilling satisfaction of an appreciative audience.
The opening remarks for the evening were given by the ALHCS Principal, Mrs. Rita Celestine Carty, who highlighted what she knows of the youthful musicians’ skills. “We are happy for the commitment of the school’s Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble shown during the year. Sound Review has become an event in itself, and for that we are thankful.
“This event helps to raise the quality of life for all of us. These musicians range in age from 12 to 19; from Form 1 to 6. They help us as an audience to enjoy a quality of life that has been enhanced by the fact that Sound Review happens every year. And by extension, since we are a representative number, the whole of Anguilla is better for it. So I say a cordial welcome, and do enjoy Sound Review 2018.”
This year’s event garnered the audience’s resounding applause as item after item was delivered with flawless precision. And if this paper could have possibly captured the sound of music, then our readers would have been in for an intriguing treat. But that possibility may just belong to another era of future technology. For now, it should suffice just to read.
Their first rendition was the vibrant presentation of the tune “The Best Day of My Life”, proficiently conducted by the legendary music maestro, Lennox Vanterpool. Other pieces by the concert band included “Largo” from New World Symphony, by Antonin Dvorak, conducted by Mrs. Kimba Southwell. Disney’s animated “Frozen”, featuring the lead by the versatile saxophonist Angelique Rogers, was also conducted by Mrs. Southwell.
Two young conductors, namely Casey Richardson and Michael Martin Jr., competently conducted “Tempest” and “Phantom of the Opera” respectively.
The Anguillian spoke with music teacher Mr. Vanterpool at the end of the program. He gave an extensive explanation of what goes behind this kind of presentation each year:
“This has been the fourth showcasing of our ensembles. The reason for these kinds of shows is to display to the public what the ensembles would have worked on over the two-week Band Camp period that is run leading up to the beginning of the school year. During the term, rehearsal times are limited, so we get a lot more done during Band Camp for three hours each day.
“During Band Camp we are able to concentrate on the music that we will use for such occasions as the graduations, the test of standards events, the speech nights, and other community events. We explore new music and, as a culmination of the teaching and learning Band Camp exercise, we stage our annual Sound Review like this. We hope that by next year we would be able to display all of our ensembles, such as the steel pan orchestra, and the concert choir, along with the concert band and the jazz band, to show the great musical talent that we have been blessed with so bountifully in Anguilla.”
Mr. Vanterpool went on to express satisfaction with the students who are attached to a music program at the University of the Virgin Islands: “We have had great results for our labours in allowing some of the more senior leading students of the various sections to benefit from the UVI Music Camp. For several years, we have been sending students there to be immersed in a high level music-making exercise. Through the UVI Music Camp we have seen great results in areas of repertoire development, tone production, technique and in many other areas of the music art.
“These youngsters are then able to come back and share with the rest of the ensemble group all that they would have learnt — showing them how to project their skills to a standard that is really remarkable. We have seen on this edition of Sound Review that certain youngsters have even taken on the responsibilities of conducting some of the pieces. Besides, we have some great small-group pieces for the saxophone segment being featured by a mixed ensemble of those students who came from UVI this year and last year. They got together for this Sound Review and did two nice marches entitled “The Gloria March” and “Americans We”.
“Overall, for young musicians in Anguilla, Sound Review is a very exciting time. They are playing what I like to refer to as ‘real music’’’.
A repeat of 2018’s Sound Review will take place at the St. Augustine’s Church on Sunday September 30th. Admission is EC$20.00, and the general public is invited. Proceeds will go towards benefiting the Music Department of the ALHCS, as well as the St. Augustine’s Anglican Church rebuilding effort. The church building was significantly damaged by last year’s Hurricane Irma.
