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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Atlanta-based string quartet gives concert in Grand Bahama in aid of young performing artists
By Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society
Nov 19, 2015 - 5:01:56 PM
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The Atlanta-based Resonance String Quartet will give a one-night-only concert entitled "From Bach to Hip Hop" on Friday, November 20 at The Pelican Bay Hotel beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Photos: Keen i Media)
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Freeport, The Bahamas -- The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society (GBPAS) will host the Atlanta-based Resonance String Quartet in a one-night-only concert entitled "From Bach to Hip Hop" this Friday, November 20 at The Pelican Bay Hotel beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The concert is part of the GBPAS' ongoing effort to promote an appreciation for the performing arts on the island and help raise funds for young Bahamians interested in pursuing careers in dance, music, or drama. All proceeds from the benefit concert will go toward providing scholarships for students to attend local and international arts programmes, as well as performing arts colleges.
As its title suggests, the benefit concert will feature a variety of musical genres, including music from the classical period and Motown era to more modern music from some of today's biggest entertainers.
The Resonance String Quartet, established in 1987, features world-class musicians from Georgia and South Carolina: Nusheen Farahani on first violin, Karen Goldston Thompson on second violin, Audrey W. Harris on the viola, and Ismail Akbar on the cello.
"There's something for everyone in this concert," Mrs Thompson said. "For those who are really interested in the classical musical, we're going to give it to you. We're going to give you some Mozart. We're going to give you some Bach. We're going to take you over to some more contemporary music. We've got some 'Colours of the Wind' for the children and young at heart. Then we'll take you all the way to the groovy, hip-hop music of today that everyone will know, whether they're a hip-hop fan or not. It's going to be a great show."
Mrs Thompson said the group is happy to be back in Grand Bahama for the concert, noting that the group visited in 2012 to accompany The Regency Singers in their Yuletide Concert. She added that this visit is particularly special for the group because the concert will benefit young Bahamians hoping to pursue careers in the performing arts.
"It's an honour to be here," Mrs Thompson said. "When we got this opportunity to come and assist with heightening the awareness for the arts and the importance of it and hopefully bring in some money for students that are excited developing their talents and going on and to play professionally, we had to jump at that opportunity."
Mr Akbar expressed similar sentiments, adding that the concert is his personal way of 'paying it forward' to aspiring musicians on the island.
"It means everything to me to be able to assist with funding for the performing arts because I was given different opportunities as a young boy," Mr Akbar said. "I was able to participate in a programme called the Talent Development Programme where I could receive free private lessons from a member of the Atlanta Symphony. So being able to come out here and perform as a way to help some youth study music is definitely a great feeling."
Gloria McGlone, a founding member of the GBPAS, said the organisation is thrilled to have the Resonance String Quartet return to Grand Bahama for this special concert as it will benefit young talents within the community and give residents an opportunity to hear world-class musicians right at home.
Mrs McGlone added that the concert is great chance for young musicians to see what they can achieve if they continue to apply themselves. She said that contrary to what people may think, there are many career opportunities for musicians and other performers, and with enough support behind them, young Bahamians can go on to achieve great things.
"That's the whole purpose of the Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society," she said, "to get these children the level of exposure and training they deserve. Our children have so much potential. There's no reason why Bahamians can't be just as successful in the performing arts as we are in other areas. It's possible, we just have to give them the support."
To date, the GBPAS has assisted several young people with attending the French Woods performing arts summer camp in New York and has provided financial assistance for 12 students to attend colleges in the United States and Canada for studies in the performing arts, music composition and classical piano performance.
The organisation is entirely supported by the efforts of volunteers and sponsors who have a genuine love for the arts and nurturing young talents. Together, these supporters enable the GBPAS to provide scholarships for local students, stage annual productions and host international entertainers.
"From Bach to Hip Hop" will also feature performances by the Allegro String Orchestra. Tickets for the benefit concert are $30 and are available at Seventeen Shop.
The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society (GBPAS) was founded in
August 2008 to advance the performing arts on the island of Grand Bahama
and raise funds for young Bahamians interested in pursuing careers in
drama, music and dance. The GBPAS is entirely supported by contributions from volunteers, and corporate and community sponsors.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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