Music camp trains band members
While much of the news media was hot on the trail of disasters, both physical and political, I had the more pleasant task of meeting with a group of young Belizeans whom I suspect will be bringing joy to our ears for many years to come.
Since Monday, the group of twenty students has been fine tuning their musical skills under the directorship of Luis Chan, Instrumental Coordinator for the Belize Arts Council. The young men and women, who are on a one-week summer musical camp, have been selected to try out as members of the first National Youth Band.
Luis Chan, Instrumental Coordinator, Belize Arts Council
“This is to form the nucleus of the National Youth Band. We have never had a national band so to speak, and we are starting this movement and the camp is actually the beginning of the group – the National Youth Band. From there, we will have other members coming in.”
Most of the students are members of high school and church bands. But despite their musical experience, they have found the sessions informative and challenging.
Alifa Elrington
“In a way it has been very demanding but yet fun, because you get the work done but at the same time you are having fun while getting the work done.”
Q: “And everybody getting along with everybody?”
Alifa Elrington
“Right.”
Q: “What are you expecting from these students, more than just being able to play an instrument?”
Luis Chan
“Okay, we are also looking at a commitment that we will have regular band practice and will also be committed to do engagements and concerts in town and around the country, countrywide. And we also want to push this level of performance that they will be committed to some studies and theory and the practical aspect of music.”
Music is one medium Hazley Griffin, a member of the Salvation Army Band, has been enjoying for the past six years. He now looks forward to the day when he will officially be playing in the National Youth Band.
Hazley Griffin
“It’s comforting. Music can be very comforting, especially at times when you feel very lonely. Even though it is something to hope for, something you can build your life on, you can depend on it.”
Chan has not only been conducting the students, but three of the girls on the group are proud to call him dad. According to Karen Chan it was her father who inspired her to play.
Karen Chan
“My dad, my dad. He got me interested in music a lot.”
Q: “What fond memories do you have of your dad inspiring you to get involved with music?”
Karen Chan
“I love to see the way he plays the clarinet and that inspired me a lot to play the trombone, because if one person can do it I guess I can do it also.”
Then there are the other students like Marian Audinette, who had nothing but praise for her instructor.
Marian Audinette
“He is a good leader. He mek you play games with it. Like see, he will no just give you a book, cause he has a lot of books in there that has the notes. And he will give you a book and afterwards he will let everybody just circle round and let them play one by one. Once it does not sound good, he will say time out and then he will take you up with it and then when everybody done, it sounds good.”
Susan Chan has not only been making sounds with her cymbals, but she has also been very active in keeping the young group together.
Susan Chan
“I have good public relations with people; I am a very friendly person. I can be very terrible at times but many people don’t see that side and like I told you before once you have the joy of the Lord, you will smile and laugh even though you have problems cause life isn’t perfect.”
According to Chan, it was not only his students’ musical talent that has made them achieve so much in a short space of time, but the atmosphere of the camp’s venue, Trinidad Farm, has given the young musicians plenty of quiet time needed to display their musical capabilities.
The camp session comes to a close on Friday.
