Running on the Beach

All home safe and returned to their families.  Well done everyone.

A final clip to make you smile...

BCC and tour

Yesterday was our last performing day and we went to visit the Music department at Barbados Community led by our old friend Roger Gittens.  Our pans played for about 20 minutes and then their pan group played a couple of tunes. We then had a 20 minute set from Vox followed by the BCC choir.  We rounded off the morning with some great improvising led by Ty Lowe, including a 15 minute jam on Rhianna's "Diamonds in the Sky" which included pans, rhythm section, massed choir and a few surprise soloists. This was a great experience and woke up even the most tired of the HYM group! Too long to upload to the blog but we will put it on the tour DVD which we hope will be ready before our joint concert on Monday 20th March at Hornsey School for Girls. 

After BCC we had a short island tour including a stop for the breathtaking panoramic view at Cherry Tree Hill.

We are now packing and tidying before our final shopping trip and setting off for the airport.

We will send a group text when we leave Gatwick tomorrow morning so parents know when to expect us at Tottenham Green. The group has done Haringey proud and we are confident they will remember the experience for the rest of their lives.  A special thank you to Catty, Ty, Chris, Maisha and Claire for their professionalism and hard work supervising the young people for roughly 16 hours per day non-stop.

Comments

This trip to Barbados has been such a big opportunity for all of us and we have learnt to trust each other a lot more. We have been doing several gigs and have been cheering each other on. Yesterday we went on a pirate ship and had a great time. We went snorkelling and saw a shipwreck. A few people got sea sick but over all we had a great time.
Esmee


This trip has been great. During this trip I have made friends at the schools we  visited ,I have seen at tour of the island  and had lots of good food i also tried snorkelling for the first time it didn't go to plan and I also felt a bit sea sick but all in all I had a wonderful time in Barbados
Celene

Abeeyo

Claire Danso leading a joint vocal workshop including Haringey Vox

Aaaargh!!!

The pirate ship was a terrific success with lots of sunshine, party music and amazing swimming. There was a a gentle but definitely noticeable swell on the water which added to the fun. Several students had rarely been swimming before but, under the ever watchful eye of the fantastic crew and with life jackets firmly fitted, they were swimming in the sea with with masks and snorkels looking at a shipwreck just beneath the surface with shoals of fish swimming around.  There was even the opportunity to "walk the plank" for those who wanted a challenge...

Comment from Tyriek:

In today's instalment of the Barbados chronicles, we went to the pirate ship. My first initial thought was it was a one way death trap but, in fact, it was one of the best experiences of my life.  At first I was very sceptical of getting in the violent sea with a pulsating current but, as I have FOMO ( Fear of missing out),  I decided to get in. This experience was extraordinary and a one in a life time opportunity that I will never forget.

Haringey Vox

Sorry for there having been fewer Vox videos so far. we are attempting to redress the balance though there are several technical challenges.  Here is one short video of them performing yesterday morning in Frederick Smith School.

Our busiest day

Today we walked to Frederick Smith School and gave two workshops before performing to the whole school. After that we walked to the beach and gave a performance outside Surfside Restaurant. Later in the afternoon the Vox sang to hotel residents with lovely surprise solos from Mrs Danso on vocals and Chris on pan.  This was very enthusiastically received by all,  not least Roger, a fellow guest, who was celebrating his birthday. The choir sang Happy Birthday for the second time in a day having also had a request at the beach. We rounded off the day with a set in the youth event at Holetown Festival efore dancing our socks off to the next group on stage, students from Barbados Community College playing a medley of Earth, Wind and Fire classics with great panache. We look forward to our session with them on Friday morning.

So far my experience in Barbados has been really good.
We have done so many workshops and learnt a new style of playing pan
We have also learnt new amazing songs as well.
Along side that many of us have made great new friends from the workshops.
The weather has been good to us apart from the few splatters of rain every now and then.
Something that has struck me and has amazed me is that some of us (including me) have picked up a little bit of an accent.
Can't wait for what's to come next and wish the trip was at least a week longer.

-Gabrielle

I have really enjoyed my time in Barbados so far. I have met a lot more people and loved playing with them. I really wish this trip was longer as I really don't want to go back to London!


Spending a lot of time playing and learning pan with other bands in Barbados over the week I have learnt how privileged as students and performers we are to have the accessibility to a wide range of resources to increase our talents

EJ

It has been such an incredible experience with these wonderful young musicians.
I have seen my choir grow and take musical risks that they would never have taken in
London. We have even more lead vocalists than ever before which is incredible. This trip has made me realise how fortunate and lucky I am to be part of such an incredible group.
I am very proud of my Voxies!

Ty Lowe


Being on this trip has been a great experience for the Steel Orchestra. Being the younger group has given them the opportunity to mature as musicians and as individuals. Some players have grown in confidence and putting on a great show for the audience out here. A few have totally surprised me in the way they have performed and even put on a smile whilst playing.
I hope this progression continues with the band on our return home. If this is the development they have shown in 5 days I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Chris

Student comments

Barbados has drawn everyone closer compared to the UK. The vibe is so positive and it is such a nice experience. I would definitely go abroad with Vox again.

Being around so many different characters can be so difficult but we all jelled. Friendships were made, old ones were restored and we had so much fun! The teachers were assertive yet fun and the students we encountered at the school were so welcoming. Thanks to everyone that came together in order to make the trip possible❤️. The trip inspires everyone to work together and prove that we are all one big family. 😁❤️Happy Valentine's Day England 💕😍😘 Barbados is so beautiful and the sun is so hot…but I'm having the best time of my life here. Thank you everyone🙏🏾☀️I am so happy I left London 🎶I'm having the time of my life and I never felt this way before.🎶 Miss all my sisters; hope you are having fun.

Hi mum - love you and I am ok #pharrell it's the best experience in the world !!

Truly an eye opening experience . Being in constant performance and around such diverse talent really made me realise that music has to be the key component in my life . It's what makes us feel alive and complete as individuals.

So far we have visited two schools and there are many similarities between their school and ours.

Coleridge and Parry School

Our visit to Coleridge and Parry School was very enjoyable today, especially as it was Valentine's Day and the tradition here is to buy a rose and give it to someone. Some of our students were treated to these gifts.  Great to see them mixing with the local students and enjoying sharing music and friendship. We also had a brief visit to the beach at sunset.

First gig continued

Haringey Vox performing at the opening ceremony. The crowd loved them and Mr Lowe was inspired to try a few of his moves!

Student feedback

Hello, it's D'Avion here to say...sup braahh!!! I'm joking,we've only been here for two days and I am loving every second of it!! I love the food, the people, performing and let's not forget about those monkeys 😅. We are all here to make Haringey proud and I feel like we are doing just that!! See ya later, byeeee!!

This trip to the sunny Barbados has been a blast so far. When walking into the secondary school we were greeted with smiles, names and a few numbers! The friendly and heart warming energy has put the whole of Haringey Young Musicians in a really good and inspirational mood.
We will continue to shine and perform to the best of our ability. Kai Rowe, Haringey Vox

Flying the flag

We're learning so much here, musically, personally, socially and culturally. Proud to share the inspirational work of our colleagues. See these clips of Tyrone Lowe leading a vocal workshop in Lester Vaughn School and Chris Storey leading a fun session on "Ah Feelin'" with HYM players helping the LSV students learn the arrangement. Lots of fun and happy memories.

First gig

The choir and pans were a smash hit at the opening night of the Holetown Festival.  The crowds loved them and the atmosphere was electric. All a little tired now. Early start tomorrow for our first school visit.

Relaxing before the show

The pool is a big hit! Off for our first gig in a couple of hours

Hotel at last

Having waited on the tarmac at Gatwick for about an hour and half, we eventually set off and had a lovely flight, making up a fair bit of time. All safely here now and at the hotel. Temperature is 26 degrees!  Everybody has been impeccably behaved so far and we look forward to some great experiences together.

Class

In a class of our own!

About to fly

Just about to board the plane, but being extra careful not to mess up our lovely plaits!

All away safely

thanks to everyone for getting the group to the coach on time. Everyone very excited and well on our way to Gatwick. The early start will catch up with us later but sunshine awaits.  More later...

Welcome

Welcome to the blog for Haringey Young Musicians trip to Barbados to perform in the Holetown Festival 2017

We plan to post daily news, photos and video clips here

Looking forward to setting off in 11th February

DON'T FORGOT YOUR PASSPORT!