ISSUE 1/MAY 2014
31
The following day I popped into each of the master classes to get a feel for the lecturers teaching and playing styles and to watch the students interact. Reginald Thomas’ piano master class took place in the larger theater. Music Technology student Makesi Joseph sat behind the drums assisting Reginald in a demonstration of rhythm and groove. Across the lobby Diego Rivera was having a discussion about improvisation. Upstairs, Rodney Whittaker was explaining fingering technique to the guitar and bass students, while Etienne discussed embouchure tips with the brass musicians.
The two days of musical exchange at the APA flew by quickly. Both bands then moved into the Lord Kitchener Auditorium in preparation for the final concert, which eventually came off without a hitch. The following week I asked a few of the UTT students about their thoughts on the whole experience. They unanimously agreed that they learned a lot and that it was one of their best experiences thus far. When asked about the musical prowess of the MSU students, some students opined than the MSU program had been in existence longer than APA’s program and that the American musicians start playing at a far younger age, among other explanations. Richard Welch, a Barbadian student at the APA and probably the most enthused student that I had spoken to, believed that their ability stemmed from their attitude, consistent practice and self-discipline. At first I surmised that his sentiments stemmed from his background in percussion, a musical field which requires strict attention to each thing he mentioned. Then I remembered that there is far less calypso in Barbados than in Trinidad.