Forty-eight students from across the islands had a ‘classic’ summer experience during the Cayman Arts Festival’s annual camp for instrumentalists.
During the camp, held 4-8 Aug. at the John Gray High School Performance Centre, students, aged 7-17, had the chance to enhance their skills on their instruments.
Leading the Cayman Arts Festival’s educational programmes, Frances McConvey said the camp provided invaluable benefits to the music students.
“Because of the intensive practice and focus on technique, students showed real improvement by the end of the week. The camp also provided an opportunity for participants to perform together,” she said.
“Younger students were inspired by more advanced musicians, and the older students took on leadership roles.”
Teachers participating and performing with the students included Yoan Garcia and McConvey with the violins, Zachary Allen and Dequan Smith with the cellos, Marlon Cortes with the clarinets and saxophones, Jonelle Ebanks with the flutes, and Cameron Gilson with the pianos.
McConvey said the camp included a concert band and a string orchestra.
“All students worked on technique for the first 45 minutes. They then worked on new musical arrangements for the camp. We ensured that learning was differentiated so that all were challenged,” she said.
The string orchestra played the ‘can-can’, ‘Over the Rainbow’, ‘Favourite Things,’ and a Queen compilation.
The concert band worked on playing ‘Latin Fire’, Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 9’, ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’, the ‘Loco-Motion’, and the ‘American Spirit March’.
Commenting on the camp, student Katherine Inanga said, “It was a bit hard, but it was fun. I liked playing ‘My Favourite Things’.”
The week culminated in a one-hour concert held on Friday, 8 Aug., which enabled the students to perform and share what they learned at the camp. The concert was well attended, Cayman Arts Festival Executive Director Marius Gaina said, adding, the performances were enjoyed by families and supporters.
Cayman Arts Festival Co-founder and Artistic Director Glen Inanga said the camp was an opportunity for the students to get together and practice with their instruments over the summer break.
“It also enables our alumni to learn on the job and have the experience firsthand on what is involved in teaching the next generation,” he said.
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