Orchestra sets Sail

Cruise ship "Orchestra" departing Castries at sunset

 St. Lucia is home to many of the embassies that serve the West Indies.  I counted 25 consulates here in Castries, the capital.  Because of Venezuela's interest in exporting the El Sistema method of music education, the Venezuelan embassy is often involved in the music school's events.  One of my violin students is a South American ambassador's wife.

Mingling in the Green Room

On Tuesday night, three embassies came together to create an event to celebrate International Women's Day at the National Cultural Center in Castries. The Chamber Orchestra was invited to perform. When I scoured the music library for repertoire composed by women, I found a single work by Doris Gazda, an american orchestra teacher and the composer of Stringtown Stroll.  We were grateful to have an appropriate piece, but shocked by the shortage of female composers!

My first performance with these high school and college students was well received! The Chamber Orchestra was the sole music ensemble in a program composed mostly of singers, dancers and actors.   The students impressed me not only with the high level of performance, but also with maturity beyond their years and the care and interest they shared with each other.