Canada’s Neapolitan Connection Concert Series performs Benefit Concert for El Sistema Bahamas
With crime heavy on the minds of Bahamians these days, perhaps the answer to the problem doesn’t lie in the gallows of Her Majesty’s Prison, but in the hearts, minds and hands of the fifth-graders who live in Nassau Village.
The Bahamas Music Conservatory has been working along with the Bahamian government to bring the orchestral program ‘El Sistema’, which has been saving lives of young children in Venezuela, to the Bahamas. The program is due to start in September 2011 at Cleveland Eneas Primary School in Nassau Village.
Canadian concert pianist, Ronée Boyce, says “I taught music at a school for underprivileged children in Toronto, and have experienced firsthand the everlasting benefits of sharing the gift of music with young minds. As soon as I heard about ‘El Sistema Bahamas’, I knew I wanted to be a part of making that program happen.”
Ronée Boyce, along with Sybil Shanahan and Sharon Lee (two of her musical colleagues from Canada), have agreed to play a benefit concert in support of the Bahamas Music Conservatory’s ‘El Sistema Bahamas’ program. The classical trio who are a part of ‘The Neapolitan Connection Concert Series’ in Toronto, will present an evening of chamber music consisting of French, Russian and Baroque repertoire including popular favorites. The concert will take place at The Ebenezer Methodist Church Sanctuary on Shirley Street at 7:00pm, Sunday, July 3rd 2011. Admission is free, but a collection will be taken for the benefit of the ‘El Sistema Bahamas’ program.
Ronée, Sybil and Sharon are only three out of fourteen Canadian Musicians who are traveling to the Bahamas at the beginning of July. The group is set to perform in the Nassau City Opera Company’s production of Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’. This popular opera will be performed at the Rainforest Theatre July 5th, 6th and 7th with the gala performance being held on July 10th, 2011. Tickets are available at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office.
These Canadian musicians are looking forward to entertaining us in Nassau, and helping to bring the ‘El Sistema Bahamas’ program to fruition. Please support their classical concert, and ultimately, our own young Bahamian music students, who now hold the hope of a bright future in their hands, thanks to ‘El Sistema Bahamas’.
