Republic Bank Exocubs, the junior band of Exodus Steel Orchestra, did T&T proud with an outstanding performance at the just concluded Iguazu In Concert International Festival of Children & Youth Orchestras & Choirs organised by the government of the province of Misiones, Argentina.
The festival offered a wonderful opportunity for children around the globe to share a musical experience that encompasses not only music, but spiritual and ethical values, such as tolerance, environmental conservation, team building and, of course, the joy of making music together.
The festival was held last month and during that period the groups participated in workshops and sectionals in the mornings, taught by master teachers from the Teatro Colon Orchestras. In addition, beside the final concert each group was required to perform at two concerts.
Exocubs' first concert was on May 24 at the Escuela 875 Dona Mercedes Garcia De Taratuty. Sharing the stage with Exocubs were Orquesta Maravillas del Mundo Puerto Iguazu and Coro Infantil Santa Cecilia of Argentina.
The group's second concert was at the Anfiteatro Ramon Ayala and also featured Argentina's Ballet del Instituto Superior de Artes del Teatro Colon, Sonidos de la Tierra- Arpas paraguayas (Paraguay) and Orquestra Instituto GPA (Brasil).
Exocubs received standing ovations and encores at every performance, as the audiences were mesmerised by the sound coming from the steelpan. The children were like celebrities and children from other countries requested photographs with them.
The festival ended on May 28 and featured performances from young artistes from across the globe including Zimbabwe, Switzerland, France, Paraguay, Peru, Brasil, Chile and Argentina.
In addition, soloists from different countries and dancers from Argentina were showcased. They all performed at the grand concert at the most breathtaking sight, overlooking the Iguazu Falls on the grounds of the Sheraton Hotel. At that finale, Exocubs performed Ganges and The Nile with vocals. Before they finished playing the audience started to applaud. At the end, all the groups performed El Minsu, written and conducted by Andrea Merenzon.
This epic tour was a wonderful experience for the young people as they were exposed to different cultures, music and gained appreciation for eco-tourism. The members of Exocubs were truly young ambassadors and kept the T&T flag flying high and with pride.
Exocubs, chaperoned by Exodus manager Ainsworth Mohammed and Julie Williams, returned home on May 31.
(Reporting by Peter Ray Blood)
Exocubs touring team
Tenors: Jryck Williams, Yadaav Charran and Rianna Oliver
Double Tenor: Ifeyi Iton and Malaya Rampersad
Double Seconds: Ilori Waithe
Double Guitar: Tamia Evans
Cellos: AAliyah Antoine
Tenor Bass: Amayu Mohipath
Bass: Tia John
Drummer: Nichols Thomas
Musical Director: Barry Mannette
Manager: Ainsworth Ainsworth.