BCC Music programme praised

THREE talented teenagers have been developing their musical talents for a combined 30 years.

 

At just 18 years old, violinists Myles Gittens, Wesley Morris and Ashlee Tang on guitar, who will soon complete the Barbados Community College’s Music programme, are already making their presence felt in their band called Everjammin.

 

The group, which came together officially to undertake a six-month gig at a popular hotel last year, delivered an impactful performance before some of the region’s movers and shakers in the academic development of the Arts, during the recently held opening ceremony of the inaugural CSEC & CAPE conference at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination (EBCCI).

 

In attendance was visiting Principal from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson, who stressed the importance of the Arts in schools. “It is clear that all children need formal creative outlets and that the Arts – if effectively delivered – can assist in educating our youth about themselves and their society for an improved global environment.”

 

The three students showcased their skill before an appreciative audience, performing Barbadian classics – Emmerton, Beautiful Barbados and the Nut Seller. Their youth belies their talent, as they performed an enviable blend of classical and folk music with hauntingly captivating solos which transcended the EBCCI’s large theatre, sending a clear message to the regional representatives that the youth are heavily vested in the Arts.

 

Both Gittens – a former Junior Calypso Monarch and Morris started at the tender age of six, and came through the JAL Music School under the tutelage of Joy Knight-Lynch. In fact, Knight-Lynch gifted her antique four string to Gittens, a huge honour for the musician, who explained, “The older the violin, the better the sound.”

 

After passing through Grade 1 to Grade 8 of the Trinity Music Exams, the two young men felt the need to expand their repertoire. They enrolled at the BCC at the same time and were exposed to a whole new world of fusions, including jazz; however, they ensure that their classical background is never too far away in their music.

 

It was at BCC that they met Ashlee Tang, who began playing the guitar at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church around age 12. 

 

“I was taught by a keyboardist at church actually, so he only could show me the basics. I really learned in the last two years doing the BCC Music programme, which has developed me tremendously.”

 

Ashlee, who sits with a quiet confidence and maturity while playing the guitar, told The Barbados Advocate that she studied piano up to Grade 4 and even sang at church. With this abundance of talent, she says her interest does not revolve around performing. “My real love is composing, arranging and eventually production, so that’s what I want to pursue,” she said.

 

The three students will be heading in different directions shortly, with Ashlee heading to Full Sail University to pursue Music Production; Myles heading to Berkeley for a five-week summer Jazz Performance programme at Berkeley, and quite possibly Humber University in Canada in September; and Morris will be pursuing the recording and performance aspect before pursuing college.

 

Ashlee believes that music specifically and arts in general have an incredibly important role to play in the education system. “Especially in the Caribbean music, it isn’t just notes, it’s cultural as well and shows persons that there are other non-traditional avenues you could take.”

 

Myles believes that more can be done to encourage this form of expression in Barbados and across the region. “We can do a lot more. Once you market it correctly, it can go somewhere. 

 

The restaurants don’t really pay musicians what they’re worth,” he lamented. “However, we see it as just a job so we try to do the best job possible. We give our all,” he said, as it relates to every public appearance made by the group.

 

The young musicians are inviting Barbadians to support the BCC graduating class at Music Portfolio 2016, on April 20 at the Frank Collymore Hall where 28 students, matched in pairs, will be given seven minutes to showcase their talent. (JH)