HEADSTART MUSIC BARBADOS

TUTORS

He developed at such a rate that after one (1) term he became Principal Clarinettist in the school orchestra, and within that same year was invited to join the Barbados Symphonia by the late Janice Millington-Robertson. This was the beginning of a career that saw him as Principal Clarinettist of the Barbados Regiment Band and Principal Clarinettist/Bassoonist of the Barbados Symphonia.

It wasn’t long however that, at the age of 15, he was asked to conduct several performances of the Barbados Regiment Band. He also conducted the Combermere School Cadet Band at the first Tin Pan Alley in 1977 while still a schoolboy at Harrison College. He subsequently became Musical Director of the Band of the Barbados Boy Scouts (1978-1980), the Band of the Barbados Regiment (1987-1992), the Barbados Chamber Orchestra (1993-1995), and the Barbados National Youth Orchestra (1996- 2001). He has also conducted the musicals ‘Once on This Island’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, and the comic opera ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. In 1990, David concretized his practical experience in conducting, by attending the ‘First Course for Young Orchestral Conductors of Latin America and the Caribbean’ held in Caracas, Venezuela.

He was one of 18 selected from over 350 applicants and one of two English speaking participants. He has for the past 22 years taught Conducting in the associate degree in music program at the Barbados Community College. There, he has also taught Clarinet and Bassoon and in the absence of specialist tutors, has supervised an Oboist and a French Horn player as well.

On the popular music front, David played Saxophone with the Crop-Over Festival for 28 years and retired as its Deputy Director. He has also been Musical Director of Conquerors Calypso Tent (1986-2001), All Stars Calypso Tent (2002-2005), the Barbados Song Contest (1992-1999) and the Caribbean Song Festival (1993-2000). He has performed in Barbados, the U.S.A., Columbia, Trinidad, and St. Vincent. His performances include a guest appearance with the Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, and as a member of the Roger Gittens’ Group which opened for Kenny G at the Barbados Jazz Festival.

David has conceptualised and produced shows including “50th Anniversary of Independence Gala Show”, “Classic Crop Over – A Tribute to the Pioneers”, “Crop Over 40th Anniversary – Monarchs in Concert”, “…On the Grand Old Bechstein – A Classical Legacy Concert”, and “Mosaic Concert Series”, now in its eight edition. David has written/co-written calypsos for/with several artists including Adrian Clarke, Chrystal Cummins-Beckles-Holder and Ian Webster. He has arranged for all of the ensembles that he has conducted and also several calypsonians.

David has taught music at the Coleridge and Parry Secondary School, the Belleville Grammar School and the Foundation Secondary School. He continues to teach clarinet, conducting and woodwind ensemble playing at the Barbados Community College and is the Programme Coordinator/Clarinet Teacher of the Headstart Music Programme and can still be seen performing as a soloist and leading his saxophone quartet for private functions and concerts.

David holds Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in Physics, a Post-graduate Diploma in Education with distinction, a Post-graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership with credit, a Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (Dip. ABRSM) and is a Licentiate of Trinity College of London Recital (LTCL), the latter two in Clarinet Performance.

From the age of 12, Kweku Omoyele Jelani started to develop his musical gifts. Born and raised in the parish of Saint Andrew, Barbados’ acclaimed trumpeter, vocalist and musical director comes from a family of creatives. So far during Kweku’s 16 year long career, he has traveled and performed in numerous jazz, blues and music festivals throughout the Caribbean, UK, and alongside brilliant and accomplished musicians including the Arturo Tappin Band, The NJ30, Spice and Company, and the 1688 Orchestra. Kweku has also performed alongside Grammy Award winning artists Lala Hathaway, Lilly McCloud and Maurice Brown.

With many weekly bookings at prime hotels and restaurants across Barbados, Kweku, while pursuing his Bachelor’s in music, still makes time as a music teacher to share his passion and inspire others. The 28 year-old musician continues to push through musical borders wielding dynamic collaborations with other artists and seeks to expand his range of talents and musical offerings.

Inspired by Arturo Sandoval, Kweku’s lifestyle, performances, and teachings reflect the quote …..

“Blow your life through your horn.” 

Dexter Norville is a Barbadian flautist who began his early music education under Anderson Williams, retired Deputy Director of Music of the Band of the Royal Barbados Police Force [RBPF]. Later, he studied with Hal Archer (a concert flautist that studied under William Bennett). Dexter then received a National Development Scholarship and attended the University of Surrey. There, he trained with Anna Noakes and Ian Clarke. Mr. Norville also attended master classes given by William Bennett.

In 1998, Dexter was made an Associate member of the Trinity College of Music London, and two years later, appointed a Licentiate member. In 2000, he won the ‘Young Musician of the Year’ award in Guilford England, and in 2001,he followed up with another win with the ‘Bell and Colvill’ Scholarship. Dexter continued to excel by winning the ‘Croser-Hughes’ solo recital competition.

He has performed at a local level in Boston, as well as internationally in London, Germany, USA and Guyana. Presently, Dexter holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Performance from the University of Surrey London England. He is also the Deputy director of the Barbados Police Service Band.

“This initiative is a most inspiring, educational, informative and fun program. The children are keen to learn while enhancing their level of concentration, focus and memory.  They have all displayed improved cognitive flexibility, self control and time management as a result of the program”.