OPPORTUNITIES are being developed to have at least two Barbadian students benefit from advanced musical instruction by some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the United States.
This development was announced at the launch of the Classical/Pops Festival slated for December 12 and 13 at Apes Hill, St James.
The classes, billed as the JetBlue Masterclass series, will be held on Thursday, December 11. It has been described as “almost unprecedented in its scope and ambition”.
“In celebration of the fifth anniversary of service to Barbados and its relationship with the Barbados Marketing Inc., Jetblue wanted to do something special and culturally compelling for the people of Barbados,” a release said.
The Jetblue series, also in collaboration with the National Cultural Foundation, will expose Barbadians to “instruction, insight, instruction and intimate performances from some of the best musical professionals, educators and technical teams in the world”.
Some of the guests include Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter and composer Irvin Mayfield, and operatic soprano Alison Buchanan.
Spring LLC is producing the Classical/Pops which is described as an orchestra that plays both well-known classical works as well as contemporary popular music accompanied by pop and rock, Broadway performers, opera singers and film composers.
More than 65 orchestra members from the world’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, The Toronto Symphony and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra will be coming. Music director Thomas Wilkins of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra will be conducting.
There will also be a film night where instantly recognisable scores and music masters who composed them will be played. The orchestra will be joined by film montages on the most advanced LEDs.
Barbadian Alison Hinds will also be teaming up with Irvin Mayfield and his 19-piece New Orleans Jazz Orchestra for “an unforgettable session”.
Another high point will be Holiday Pops. It features well-loved songs, classical masterpieces and gospel music that capture the Christmas season. Choir director is Chapman Roberts.
