Collaboration between The Commonwealth Resounds and the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO)

The Commonwealth Resounds (TCR) and the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO) are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration bringing together talented musicians and singers from Antigua, Montserrat, and St. Kitts. This unique partnership aims to foster musical creativity and cultural exchange among young musicians from these islands, focusing on four exciting areas: Jazz, Film, Fusion, and Wind Band.

The Commonwealth Resounds, an organization dedicated to promoting music and culture across the Commonwealth, will be working closely with ABYSO to provide an enriching and transformative experience for the participants. Building on the success of previous workshops, this year’s programme will take place from Monday 15th July to Saturday 20th July 2024, in Antigua. The weeklong pilot programme invites students and educators to participate, offering them an immersive experience in musical composition. The workshop aims to promote cultural cohesion, enhance music education, and open doors to new career opportunities in the music industry. The Commonwealth Secretariat has also endorsed the programme as an activity under Commonwealth Year of the Youth.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from renowned facilitators, including Khan Cordice, Reuben Bance, Jamie Smith, Ka Youn Yoo, and Gabriel Taylor. These experts bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in their respective fields, ensuring a high-quality educational experience for all attendees.

The workshop will culminate in a spectacular performance on Saturday, 20th July at Lucky Eddi’s in English Harbour, showcasing the original works composed by the participants. This event promises to be a celebration of creativity and talent, attended by parents, friends, and music enthusiasts.

Event Details:

·        Date: Saturday, July 20th, 2024

·        Time: 6:30 PM

·        Location: Lucky Eddi’s, English Harbour, Antigua

Objectives of the Collaboration:

1.     Extend the work of ABYSO to other parts of the Caribbean, promoting cultural cohesion and understanding.

2.     Share and celebrate the different cultures of the Eastern Caribbean through musical creativity.

3.     Build the capacity of music teachers and students to confidently tackle music composition, especially for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) music examination.

4.     Enhance personal and social development of young people through musical creativity.

5.     Open doors to alternative 21st-century career opportunities in music.

The Eastern Caribbean Composes! is envisioned to grow into the premier summer composition workshop in the Caribbean, expanding annually to include more countries from the Eastern Caribbean. This initiative is a testament to the power of music to unite and inspire young talent, fostering a vibrant and dynamic musical community across the region.

For more information, please contact:

Alison Cox
Chair, The Commonwealth Resounds
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +447816103194

Claudine Benjamin
COO, Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1268.772.9918

Join us in celebrating the future of Caribbean music and supporting our young musicians as they take the stage at Lucky Eddi’s on July 20th. Let’s make this an unforgettable night of music and culture!