Ode to Independence performs tonight
It’s not as familiar as the latest dance hall tune, but that doesn’t mean the music described in our next story does not have an impact. News 5’s Patrick Jones tells us why attending tonight’s concert at the Biltmore will be a memorable experience.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
Sir Colville Young’s Ode to Independence is described as a secular cantata in eight movements. The performance opens with a salute to the country’s independence.
Jason Guerrero, Conductor, Ode to Independence
“It’s a piece of music, a musical sketch of Belize’s historic development told through music. The Governor General in writing the piece has gone from the presence of the Maya, the first Belizeans, to the influx of the British and the slavery that they brought with them, making references to slavery, the result of having Creole people in Belize, presence of Creole people and bringing in the Garifuna. And so reference are made to most of the major cultural groups in Belize.”
Over sixty-five musicians come together under the direction of Music Coordinator Jason Guerrero to bring Sir Colville’s work to life. It is Belize’s first orchestral composition than encompasses a cross-section of styles.
Jason Guerrero
“Myself, and I am sure the Governor General would like to see the Ode to Independence become household, like some other works that we have seeing Belize in the past. To name one, Mass in Blues. Not that we are trying to compete, but Mass in Blues has gotten due respect within Belizean households, and I think Ode to Independence is another marker in Belizean musical history in that it’s the first orchestral composition for Belize. So that makes it a very important work. And if this can become a household work that would be great.”
But with the country’s musical tastes raised on a steady diet of soca, reggae and contemporary genres coming out of the U.S.A., achieving that lofty goal will take some effort. One thing on the plus side Guerrero believes is that the Ode to Independence touches most of the major ethnic groups.
Jason Guerrero
“I think it’s concerts like this that are accessible to everybody; traditionally people think that music like this–art music I call it–is accessible only to the elite. But I totally disagree with that. My view has always been that music like this, art music, whether it be jazz or classical music, is accessible to anyone and so anyone is invited here to the Biltmore to see this performance.”
And if you’re thinking that the performance will take a toll on your endurance, Guerrero assures the public that the curtain will close before boredom sets in.
Jason Guerrero
“The Ode to Independence is definitely not boring. Sir Colville Young has ingeniously written pieces in formats that we can all relate to. For instance, one of the movements is in reggae. Another one Wabureme, which everyone can relate to, the Garifuna sound, and one of the pieces is in Garifuna. So for that reason I think that people will enjoy it, no matter what area of music you like. If you like rap music you can enjoy the Ode to Independence. It’s accessible.”
The Ode to Independence was revived last year after a twelve-year hiatus. Written in 1989, the work was first performed in 1991 for Belize’s tenth anniversary of Independence. And with the growing diversity of the population, Guerrero says there have already been requests for expansion.
Jason Guerrero
“One of our students is of Chinese Belizean Mestizo, half Chinese, half Mestizo. And the parent was asking me is it possible for Sir Colville to write a piece to include the Chinese community. So that’s very possible and all of the others, Mennonites are not represented in the Ode and other cultural groups. So yes there is room for expansion; however, Sir Colville has said that he would like to see someone else add those movements. He has done enough.”
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
Guerrero says the performance has been well received so far in the north and west and expects the same from Belize City. The show was staged last year in Dangriga and there are plans to take the Ode to Independence to Punta Gorda and Independence next year. Tickets for tonight’s performance at the Biltmore cost twenty dollars for adults and ten dollars for children. It begins at seven-thirty.
