Seven young Caymanian string musicians have brought their talent to the next level, after performing in two concerts at Florida State University.
Their performances, at the university’s Ruby Diamond Auditorium in June, came at the end of a one-week FSU String Orchestra Camp in Tallahassee, Florida.
The Year 8 and Year 9 students – violinists Makennah Wright, Sian Euter, Zoie Bush and Stephen Mason Jr.; viola player Naomi McLaughlin; cellist Jada-Kae Lawrence; and double bass player Khalia Dawkins – are all intermediate-level musicians who are enrolled in Cayman Arts Festival’s after-school music education programme.
They were among more than 90 young musicians – mostly from the United States – to attend the camp.
According to a CAF press release, “In the past, only advanced-level participants of Cayman Arts Festival’s after-school programme have been given the opportunity to attend overseas camps. But music teacher Fran McConvey, who organises the after-school programme activities at John Gray High School, said there were strategic reasons for giving intermediate-level students the chance to receive higher level instruction and to perform with other young string players abroad.”
McConvey, who accompanied the group on the trip, said in the release, “It was the first time they performed with a conductor. It was a fantastic opportunity for all of them and they learned they could hold their own with other young musicians from all around the United States.”
‘Unforgettable experience’
Violinist Mason Jr. told the Compass his time spent at the camp was a “fun, amazing and overall unforgettable experience”.
“I have learned new things, met new friends and had a great time while doing so. I believe what I learned will help me to become a better violinist in the future.”
He added, “I didn’t only play in an orchestra, I also got a chance to play in a string quartet, which is something I have never done before. While playing in this quartet I learned how to follow the leader and how to adjust my pitch and tuning to my other musicians which I am sure will be useful skills for future violin endeavours.”
Noting he hoped to attend the camp next year, he added, “I am thankful to everyone who made this possible. You have changed my life for the better.”
‘Extremely grateful’
For Bush, her love for the string instrument has grown since attending the camp.
“I have learned much more about playing the violin; I have learned how to tune my violin with a tuner, how to make my violin softer and louder, and I learned how to play better with a conductor,” she told the Compass, adding, “I really enjoyed the concerts which was the product of my week of hard work.”
Bush said the camp will help her in the future, as “I would like to be playing music part time and to be able to just enjoy doing what I love about music. I am extremely grateful to have been chosen to go to FSU and hope to return next year to experience it again. I had an incredible and unforgettable experience at FSU String Orchestra Camp.”
Marius Gaina, Cayman Arts Festival executive director, said in the release that “giving music students the opportunity to get intensive instruction overseas at places like the String Orchestra Camp helps them develop as musicians”.
He added, “It broadens their musical horizons by allowing them to learn from other teachers, while at the same time giving them the opportunity to meet and perform with other young musicians their same age. I am not surprised at all to learn that they performed so admirably with the student string players from the United States.”
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