Youths explore the wonders of music, seek to boost skills and talents |26 August 2022

A group of around 30 young people who are members of the Youth Band, the Brass Band as well as those from other youth groups with a keen interest to further develop their musical skills and talents, followed three half-day training sessions this week under the theme ‘Explore music’.

Organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), as part of activities of the ongoing Youth Festival, being held under the theme ‘Imagine the Possibilities’, the training sessions came to an end yesterday. They were conducted by David Rios and Paul Contos, two musicians and music coaches from California.

During the training the group of young people learned various musical technics, enhanced  their skills, talents and creativity while at the same time learned how to boost their sense of respect for and tolerance with their peers. 

Yesterday, the group and their coaches put on a performance to close the training and showcased what they have learned during the three half days. This was during a ceremony held at the auditorium of the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA).

In attendance were the chief executive of the SNYC Penny Belmont, her deputy Ghislaine Belmont, the director for youth empowerment and wellbeing at the SNYC Marcus Mederic, Major Jude Raoul, SNYC and SDA staff.

The ceremony kicked off with a special performance of a song composed for the people of Seychelles by Mr Rios and Mr Cantos.

This was followed by the interpretation of different songs that all the participants of the training had learnt and practiced with the help of their two mentors.

Once the performances were over, Mr Rios and Mr Cantos made a donation of several musical instruments to the SNYC which include a conga drum, claves, a cow bell, and a mobile music box.

In return the SNYC handed over gift bags to the two music coaches as a sign of appreciation and gratitude for their kind gestures.

The participants were then presented with certificates for attending the workshop.

“We have brought them some different varieties of rhythm in music, some other varieties of melody and harmony. They learned very quickly. A large part of what we did is hopefully to   inspire them,” Mr Cantos noted.

He said all the participants were very engaged and proved to be very good singers as well. He went on to point out that the state of the youths after Covid-19 in both Seychelles and the United States were very similar and that they were familiar with the issues they are facing.

Meanwhile the SNYC’s activities for the Youth Festival continue today with a dance audition where 35 young individuals aged between 12 and 17 years will be heard and considered for recruitment in the Youth Troup. 

The accompanying photos show some highlights of yesterday’s ceremony to wrap up the training sessions.

Text & photos by Sylia Ah-Time