~ Showcasing talent ~
Love music and listening to your favourite instrument? Many of us have regrets for not learning one when we were younger. But if you've always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument and need inspiration to get started, look no further than this coming Sunday's Music Concert by students of Paul Emmanuel Music School of La Savane.
The concert is being held in Sandy Ground Cultural Center on Sunday, June 14, at 2:00pm sharp. The annual concert is a culmination of everything the students have learnt under the tutorship of Berklee Music College graduate Paul Emmanuel. Take it from us; you are going to be very impressed!
Some 75 students will be performing, either as individuals or in ensembles.
"This year I have quite a lot of new students and older students too," said Emmanuel. "The new students have been progressing fast and I'm very excited to see them play on stage. Other students have advanced from playing bass guitar to taking up piano and singing, so that's a great improvement and very encouraging."
The concert will feature all genres of music; jazz, pop, reggae, gospel, and classical etc. The ensemble groups will be playing more pop-orientated music. Younger students in the seven-to-nine- year old range will be playing classical songs on guitar, violin and piano.
In addition to guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano, saxophone, violin and steel pan, one of the more unusual instruments to feature in the concert will be a ukulele. Paul disclosed that one of the parents told him that their child had been given a ukulele as a present, but thought at first it was a guitar, and the child wants to learn to play it.
"Portuguese carpenters were the original people who made the ukulele, and when they migrated to Hawaii, the craft prospered over there," Paul explained. "For an instrument so small it has a beautiful sound. The very small one which is more commonly known is called a soprano and the bigger one is an alto."
"Myself, and two others will be playing ukuleles in the concert. We composed our own song, where I will be playing the melody and they will be playing the chords. The ukulele has four strings and tunes differently to the guitar and that's what gives it the unique sound. And the way it is made, of course gives it a different resonance."
A wide range of ukuleles can be purchased of varying quality and price. Electric ukuleles are also available.
Parents, friends and families are encouraged to come out and support the music students, some of whom will be performing for the first time in front of an audience.
Entrance fee to the concert for adults is 10 euros ($10) and children under 12 for 5 euros ($5). More information about the concert or the music school can be obtained from Paul Emmanuel (0590) 51.97.49 or (0690) 88.36.16.
