LaTannia Ellerbe

Violin Teacher, Bermuda School of Music:

“The annual Festival Honours Orchestra provides an opportunity for advanced string students to further the development of their skills through rehearsals and performances. All four students had a taste of life as a professional musician, spending numerous hours in rehearsals with other students from North Carolina and Virginia. In just three short days, the ensemble was able to present a well-performed concert with repertoire ranging from bossa nova to Irish Folk Music. Violin Professor Marjorie Bagley generously gave of her time in a two hour private masterclass for the Bermudian students. The students were pushed out of their comfort zone, and thus, the weekend was a memorable and priceless experience.”

Chrysda Smith

Somersfield Academy:

“My experience at the Southern Honours String Festival was amazing! I love how we had a full orchestra with violins, violas, celli and bass. This made the music that we produced sound very full and complete. Our conductor, Frank Diaz, was highly intelligent in terms of knowing how to improve our playing. He explained to us the articulation of each song and how it made each song unique and beautiful. He also shared his personal feelings of the pieces which helped us, as the orchestra, to change our perspective of the piece, this reflected in our playing. The music that we played at the culminating concert was out of this world because it sounded so beautiful.

“My personal favourite was a bossa nova song called Desafinado composed by Antonio Carlos Gobim and Newton Mendonca.

“It was a privilege to participate in this camp as I learned an ample amount and it was definitely a positive experience.”

Kaleb Phillips:

“When I came home and reflected on my experience and the past few days, all I could think was ‘amazing’. I then realised that, here in Bermuda, many of us are not exposed to the quality of music that is offered in larger countries like America or the UK.

“In Bermuda, with my violin, I was a big fish in a small pond. Many people told me that the standards for music abroad are much higher, but to be honest, it’s only until you really experience music abroad that you become humbled.

“What I saw at the University of Greensboro was incredible. In three days of rigorous rehearsals, the orchestra sounded amazing. In addition to the quality of music, the number of people playing was astounding. “

There were full sections of all stringed instruments! I’d recommend this trip to anyone who plays a stringed instrument. What an experience!”

Finn Moses Smith:

“Initially I was very nervous about the trip given that I would be playing with high school students while I’m still in middle school.

“However as the trip got nearer I became excited at the idea of playing in a large orchestra with people from another country.

“When we arrived we had to do seating auditions which was tough because we had to start in the most random place in each piece.

“After the audition we were assigned into our seats based on our audition, I was fortunate to be sat next to Kaleb, who travelled with us from Bermuda.

“The first time the orchestra came together to play it was great to hear all of the cellos, violas and basses come together to form the music.

“I loved how there was an equality in each section so that you could hear all the sections blending together. Also what I found was a good experience for me was playing with other people and listening to each individual’s playing style, also experiencing the teaching styles of the teachers there.

“We ended up practicing for nine, but that time was worth it.

“I really hope we get this opportunity next year I would not hesitate to audition again.”

Haley Williams:

“Recently four students from the Bermuda School of Music, Kaleb Phillips, Chrysda Smith, Finn Moses Smith and Haley Williams represented the island of Bermuda by participating in the Southeast Honours String Festival at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

“I was lucky enough to be a part of it. It was a wonderful experience, hard work but all worth it! The first day of our journey, we flew to Atlanta, then to Greensboro. From the very first day, we went straight to work.

“We arrived at our airport around 9.

“We had an hour to feast, then a practice in the pool room from 10, and that practice ended around 11.30 and were pooped.

“The very first day of the festival was auditions. We Bermuda students did pretty well in our auditions nailing them because we were not last chair! Musicians that often play in orchestras know what I mean!

“Our second day of rehearsals was our longest day. We worked from 8.30 until 10.30 working to perfect pieces, and it rained the whole day. The weather was cold, and we were walking back and forth from hall to hall, and if I haven’t mentioned, weather was cold!

“Third day of rehearsal was short, because our concert was in just a few hours.

“Our concert, not to toot my own horn, was fabulous. I think we really pulled together given the amount of three days to perfect it.

“Our trip overall was great, and I am glad we got to experience this festival and meet competition and make friends.

“I am super grateful and thank you to Miss Ellerbe for this experience.

“I had a great time, and I would love to have more of these experiences.”