Carnegie Mellon’s expanding presence on the world stage reached Trinidad and Tobago for the first time when the Concert Choir performed four concerts at the end of May.
“This was the most exciting thing ever to happen in the history of Carnegie Mellon’s Concert Choir and even for Carnegie Mellon University because it was our first introduction ever into Trinidad,” said Concert Choir Director Robert Page.
Students stayed with host families from Trinidad and collaborated with the Marionettes, Southernaires and the Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra, Lydians Choir and the Signal Hill Alumni Choir from Trinidad and Tobago. Carnegie Mellon students hosted a choir workshop for Signal Hill School students.
“The students were exposed to a different culture and the only thing that tied these cultures together was the music and the artistic product. I think we learned a lot about human relations, social responsibilities, and interplay and interaction between the two cultures,” Page said.
The Trinity Cathedral Restoration and Maintenance Committee for the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Trinidad hosted the Concert Choir. The committee consists of 40 members from all over the diocese of Trinidad and Tobago. The committee’s goal is to restore the Cathedral, a national edifice and a place used by the entire community.
The president of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, professor George Maxwell Richard and the U.S. Ambassador Dr. Roy Austin hosted a reception in honor of the Choir’s performances. Proceeds of the concert benefited the “Garden of Peace,” a garden designed as a resting place for the ashes of people of all denominations.
“We enjoyed sharing this occasion with some of our leading choirs and the steel instrumentalists, and trust this experience helped to enhance Carnegie Mellon’s many thoughts of the Caribbean,” said Dr. Alan Patrick, chair of the Restoration and Maintenance Committee.
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