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