The US Embassy to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) hosted the American classical quartet the Ibis Ensemble, in a 2-country travelling tour of classical music. The programme travelled to Grenada, and Barbados.
These gifted musicians, all of whom live in Trinidad and Tobago, performed original works which highlighted the smooth Caribbean influences on American classical music.
Led by accomplished American double bassist Caitlyn Kamminga, the quartet, including Belorussian-born American conductor, saxophonist, and clarinetist Yevgeny Dokshansky, percussionist Josh Watkins, and pianist Hayward Mickens, serenaded a full room for an hour-long concert at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort on 20 September. The Ibis Ensemble captivated the crowd while performing classical pieces such as ‘Hot Sonata’ by famed composer Erwin Schulhoff, and ‘Rondelle’ by Trinidadian choral conductor Roger Henry.
Earlier that day, the ensemble conducted an engaging master class for about 65 students drawn from Grenada’s secondary schools, musicians, and national school orchestra. The students were broken up into smaller groups and were led by individual members of the quartet in the areas of string, piano, clarinet, and percussion.
“The US Embassy is hosting this series of public concerts to underscore the excellence and diversity of American music. The Ibis Ensemble’s performance highlights how the American and Caribbean cultures can be blended musically to create original musical works,” said US Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS, Linda Taglialatela. “The US Embassy remains committed to supporting development through the arts in Grenada and the Eastern Caribbean and looks forward to maintaining its strong support of cultural initiatives in the future.”
