Members of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra will undertake a
12-day musical tour of the United Kingdom from 10 to 21 October 2023. ABYSO
was formed in 2018, in partnership with the Kanneh-Mason family, and is marking
its fifth anniversary by undertaking, its first overseas tour.
The tour begins with the launch of a new partnership between the ABYSO and the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). “This partnership will bring together
ABYSO’s aspiring young musicians with RPO professionals to develop cross-
cultural musical experiences in both the UK and Caribbean,” a media release from
the organization stated.
The ABYSO touring musicians will benefit from open rehearsal opportunities and
instrument and sectional coaching sessions with RPO principals. They will have
the opportunity to perform pre-concert for public audiences at Cadogan Hall.
Musicians will also participate in a creative workshop to produce a brand-new
piece of music led by award-winning composer James Redwood. The musicians
will also collaborate in a two-day project bringing together ABYSO with young
musicians in the Brent Youth Concert Pops Orchestra (BYCPO).
The RPO sessions will end with a concert on 15 th October in The Duke’s Hall at the
world-renowned Royal Academy of Music in London. This concert will include
steelpan player Khan Cordice, saxophonist Jess Gillam, RPO musicians, the
BYCPO, and members of the Kanneh-Mason family.
The ABYSO tour will continue to the historic Christ Church Cathedral at Oxford
University. There the orchestra will perform with the choristers of Christ Church
Cathedral School (CCCS) on Sunday 16 th October.
CCCS has developed a close relationship with Antigua and Barbuda over the years.
The National Youth Choir performed at the school during their UK tour in 2019.
CCCS also raised funds to support the Red Cross Barbuda, hurricane relief efforts
in 2017. Tutors from the school, led by Director of Music Sophie Biddell, have
mentored ABYSO musicians. After the performance, the ABYSO will have lunch
at the College, followed by a tour led by an Antiguan student, Ianthe Fraser, who is
currently studying at Oxford.
The ABYSO will then travel to Jersey, Channel Islands, as the guests of the Jersey
Music Service.
Antigua and Barbuda and Jersey continue to build close ties through hospitality,
cricket, and cultural exchanges. The ABYSO visit will be part of the Jersey Music
Service’s plan to re-launch a youth orchestral programme on that Island. The
concert in Jersey will be held on 18 th October at Les Quennevias School.
