(Photo: Submitted)
The University of Tennessee at Martin Percussion Studio participated in a travel-study overseas in early January.
The group had the opportunity to merge cultures in Trinidad and Tobago, Jan. 4-11, as part of the Youth Music Exchange Program hosted by the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
“My favorite part of the trip was having the opportunity to go observe different steel pan bands rehearse at their respective pan yards,” said Jacob Hargrove, a sophomore music and performance major from Bartlett.
UT Martin students and alumni visited steel band rehearsals for the upcoming Panorama competition, as well as a rehearsal of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago. The group also participated in multiple master classes including topics on steelpan, tassa drumming, traditional bongo and limbo styles.
Stephen Weeks, of the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain, the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed UT Martin students before their joint concert with students from University of Trinidad and Tobago.
“Having the chance to play with the UTT students was such an amazing experience. They were all incredible musicians, and I feel like we really blended well together,” said Hargrove.
The travel-study provided UTM students with real-world experience and an opportunity to learn about another culture. “I have connections in Trinidad and Tobago now, and I’m more than grateful for that. Overall, it was just a wonderful learning experience, and I hope to visit Trinidad and Tobago again someday,” Hargrove said.
Other students to participate in the trip were Rachel Edwards, of Medina; Patrick Hill, of Trenton; Jenna Kirby, of Nashville; Jennifer Hotz, of Naperville, Ill.; Cameron Westbrook, of Nashville; Trice Mayhall, of Kenton; Hohner Porter, of Trenton; Colby Snider, of Memphis; Nathaniel O’Neal, of Smyrna; Cameron Poythress, of Antioch; Peyton Scott, of Newbern; and Stephen Downing, of Martin.
UTT students plan to visit UT Martin in August to complete the first round of the exchange.
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