Caribbean Arches

The Arch of Bows is a tradition adapted from West Point Military Academy.  Of course, the cadets use swords and are a bit more organized, but the display of ceremony and honor are similar.   In my previous position as Orchestra Director in Wilmington, MA, we always enjoyed initiating new members into the ensemble by forming an arch with violin bows and inviting members to walk through.  As performers join or exit the program, the arch awaits as a metaphor for passage.

Our End of Term Concert at the Saint Lucia School of Music coincided with the departure of six teachers from Venezuela.  These talented young people arrived ten weeks ago to share their knowledge of El Sistema and assist in the musical education of Lucian youth. As the beaming teachers proceeded shyly beneath the canopy of raised bows, each was warmly greeted at the end by the Executive Director with a sparkling goodie bag.

It's not every school concert that is hosted by an ambassador.  Her Excellency, Leiff Escalona, the Venezuelan ambassador formally greeted the public and students and then expounded on the continuing musical relationship between the two countries. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been dedicated to to increasing music appreciation in Saint Lucia since 2013.  Her husband sat proudly in the audience anticipating the his young daughter's first performance with the choir.