Playing to Inspire 7: A Milestone Celebration of Music and Inspiration

The Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO), the Inspire Choir and the Kanneh-Masons are proud to announce the 7th edition of Playing to Inspire, our highly anticipated annual concert, set for Saturday, April 12th, 2025, at 7:30 PM at the St. John’s Pentecostal Church House of Restoration (SJPC) on Lauchland Benjamin Drive.

Under the distinguished patronage of Their Excellencies Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams, this year’s event reaches new heights of prestige and inspiration with an extraordinary lineup of international, local and regional talent.

The ABYSO is once again pleased to be collaborating with the renowned Kanneh-Mason Family, who have been instrumental in the formation and development of the ABYSO and continue to serve as co-hosts for this distinguished event.

The Kanneh-Masons provide year round mentorship, training and resources for young musicians in Antigua and Barbuda.

Their ongoing collaboration has played a significant role in raising the orchestra’s standard and global visibility.

This year’s featured artist, Felix Klieser, is a globally celebrated French horn player who has defied expectations and redefined what is possible in music.

Born without arms, Felix began his musical journey at the age of four, mastering the French horn with his feet and achieving worldwide acclaim.

His presence at Playing to Inspire 7 will serve as a powerful testament to resilience, talent, and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit.

ABYSO Chair, High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill, lauded ABYSO’s growth and the concert’s increasing prominence, stating, “Reaching the seventh year of Playing to Inspire is a truly remarkable achievement for ABYSO. What began as a vision to develop young musicians in Antigua and Barbuda has now grown into a celebrated event of international acclaim. This year, with the addition of Felix Klieser, the concert reaches another level of inspiration, proving that music knows no barriers and excellence has no limits.”

The concert will also marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration with the Atlanta Music Project (AMP), an organization dedicated to empowering young musicians through world-class training and performance opportunities.

Eight musicians from Atlanta, Georgia, will travel to Antigua to be part of this year’s event.

This partnership will provide a platform for musical exchange, fostering new opportunities for ABYSO musicians and strengthening international connections in the orchestral and choral music world.

Playing to Inspire 7 will welcome conductor Jonathan Bloxham to Antigua and Barbuda.

The guest lineup will also include Sophie Biddell, Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford and a cohort of young musicians from the Island of Montserrat. Making his debut performance with the ABYSO, local tenor Leslie Nanton will take the stage for this inspirational evening.

Tickets are available now:
• Premium: EC$125
• General Admission: EC$75
• Children (12 & under): EC$50

Get your tickets at The Larder, Woods Pharmacy, Crab Hole Liquors, and on The Ticketing App.

For more information, please contact:
Claudine Benjamin
Managing Director
Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 1268.772.9918

ABOUT ABYSO
The ABYSO delivers life-changing music education to over 250 young musicians and educators every week.

Founded in 2018 in partnership with the Kanneh-Mason family, the ABYSO offers high-quality tuition, performance and mentorship opportunities to young people regardless of background or circumstances.

ABYSO operates year-round, after school programmes for young people at all levels of instrumental or choral learning, from beginners to seniors.

Public performances throughout the year showcase the young people’s hard work and talent, ranging from orchestral standards to musical theatre shows and intimate chamber events.

Exciting international partnerships bring world class musicians, composers and conductors to work alongside the young musicians, while traineeships bring new skills such as instrument repair and piano tuning to the islands.

Thriving under the patronage of the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda and his wife, ABYSO is proud of its many achievements in just seven years of existence.

ABYSO is a registered non-profit organisation served by an eleven (11) member Board of volunteers. ABYSO holds 501(c)3 charitable status and is a registered non-profit with the Antigua and Barbuda Inland Revenue department.