Nassau, Bahamas - Who knew that conch salad could be so melodic? The music students at The College of The Bahamas
and the faculty members who helped them create a new compilation of original and classic Bahamian melodies.
The result is a CD entitled
Melodic Conch Salad, produced by the ensemble MUIN242, which will be launched on Friday, October 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Bahamas National Trust, Village Road.
“The most rewarding part was hearing the final version in the studio. We could not believe what
we accomplished,” shares Lynden Sands, group member and second-year music major.
This
is just one of the ways that demonstrates how students of The College
are not only learning
from the quality instruction for which the institution is known, but
are using that knowledge to create and produce quality work themselves.
According to the students, the experience was fascinating.
“We could not believe what we had accomplished,” Lynden recalls. “Overall,
Melodic Conch Salad musically illustrates the process of making
conch salad, from growing the vegetables to catching the conch to adding
the perfect blend of spices.”
Other members of the ensemble are Leslie Forbes, Elvin Hanna, Gillard Louis and Matthew Rolle II.
Group
members first came together in 2013 as part of COB’s ensemble
performance class (MUIN 255), led by Dr. Christine Gangelhoff. For the
students’ final class performance, the group selected the repertoire,
created the arrangements and rehearsed the programme. They decided that
one performance was not a sufficient showcase for the music, which led
to the idea of creating an album.
Melodic Conch Salad
features works by Blind Blake, Tony Mackay, E. Clement Bethel,
Christian Justilien, and a composition named “COB” by ensemble member
Matthew Rolle II, an original rake ‘n scrape tribute to the group’s alma
mater.
Executive producer of the CD Dr. Gangelhoff calls it a “tremendously rewarding experience.”
“They
were up for any challenge and exceeded my expectations time and time
again. Considering this
innovative recording evolved from a 1-credit music course makes it all
the more remarkable. I am extremely proud of what they have accomplished
and feel confident they will serve as outstanding role models to future
generations of Bahamian musicians,” she
says.
Melodic Conch Salad
was
recorded in June of this year in Tower Heights Studio in Nassau. It was
produced, engineered and mastered by Terry Manning. COB faculty
Dr. Gangelhoff and Christian Justilien were also the musical directors.
