Over the summer, Boise State Music Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Music History, Dr. Zach Buie, and a team of students flew to Antigua and Barbuda. As part of an ongoing collaboration with the Antigua & Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra, this passionate group leads workshops and performances while gaining unique, real-world teaching experience.
Boise State first became involved with the ABYSO in 2019 when Buie flew to Antigua with MusAid to help the organization develop its brass program. Since then, the musical conversation has continued via online classes and yearly in-person workshops spearheaded by Buie. While there, the Boise State students teach private lessons and sectionals and conduct select works with the full orchestra. When not conducting, the students perform alongside the orchestra and chorus. This year, the whole adventure concluded with a concert that featured a program of popular film music and a personal thank you and moment of recognition from The Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Rodney Williams.
Continually inspired by the ABYSO’s mission of empowering youth and promoting excellence through music, this is just one of the many ways that Boise State Music and its incredible students impact the world. Along with the online components of the program, Buie and his team of students plans to return Summer of 2023 as well. For more information on the Antigua & Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra, please visit their website at ABYSO.org.