The Classical Music Development of T&T will host the finals of the First Classical Music competition at Queen’s Hall tonight. Last night, ten instrumentalists and vocalists performed for the judges in the semifinal. The ten are classical guitarist Seth Escalante, cellist Tracell Frederick, violinist Chelsea Goolcharan, tenor Stephan Hernandez, tenor Christian Joel, soprano Stephanie Nahous, soprano Llettesha Sylvester, tenor John Thomas, soprano Avrice Wilson and counter-tenor Kevin Yung.
All the competitors are currently engaged in tertiary programmes of study, have recently graduated from music conservatories at home or abroad or have completed Grade Seven at the Royal Schools of Music Examinations (ABRSM). The panel of judges comprises American mezzo-soprano Hilda Harris, a member of the voice faculties of Sarah Lawrence College and Manhattan School of Music, Spanish conductor Carlos Fernandez Aransay, the musical Director and a member of the jury of the Trujillo International Singing competition (Peru).
The final member of the panel is Anthony Woodroffe Jr who is currently on the teaching staff at UTT as a part-time Saxophone/Clarinet tutor. He has featured with the Caribbean jazz group Elan Parle at the Tobago Jazz Festival and the Errol Ince group at Jazz on the Beach in Tobago. Tickets are available at the Queen’s Hall Box Office, Naparima Bowl, San Fernando or at The Gallery, Level 1, Long Circular Mall. • For further information call 632-2548 or 728-6696.
Classical Music Competition Prizes
1st Place:
US$5,000 courtesy the National Gas Company
2nd Place:
US$3,000 courtesy First Citizens Asset Management Ltd
3rd Place:
US$1,000 courtesy the Neal and Massy Foundation
Audience choice prize: US$500
All other finalists will receive an award of US$100.