About the Orchestra
ACYO (All-Caribbean Youth Orchestra) is a youth orchestra comprised of young musicians ages 12-22 from the across the Caribbean Archipelago. It joins music schools and other youth ensembles together to form an orchestra of 50 plus young musicians. Caribbean islands have the opportunity to nominate 4 or more of their brightest young musicians to represent their island to audition for a two-week orchestra residency hosted in 2023 by the island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. The residency will be led by renowned artist teachers, orchestral musician, and coaches. With this endeavour ACYO seeks unified island talent through music and create a path for these young musicians to higher education and hopefully a better life.Mission
To unite young musicians from the Atlantic Caribbean Archipelago by creating a youth orchestra that provides them with the tools to higher musical education opportunities.
Vision
ACYO also provides a transformative musical, cultural and social support that helps better their lives which like most people of these islands were affected by the Atlantic Slave Trade and systematic racism puts these young musicians on a career path to higher education and hopefully a better future. The youth orchestra is committed to connecting Caribbean communities through a wide variety of engagement activities and transforming these young BIPOC musicians into role models, mentors and cultural ambassadors for the Atlantic Caribbean Islands.
ACYO Is:
- The first Youth Orchestra that joins young musicians from the Caribbean Archipelago from music schools, youth orchestras and programs from throughout the Caribbean Archipelago
- Comprised of the finest young musicians (12-22 year-olds)
- Conducted by Artistic Director Marlon Daniel
- Joined by internationally renowned soloists in concerts
- Full-educational scholarship for all participants (does not include travel or housing as of to date)
- Reflective of the breadth, diversity, and quality of the Caribbean
- A vibrant symbol of diversity, hope and confidence
- An institutional ambassador for Caribbean Islands throughout the world
- Future goal: an annual tour throughout major music capitals around the world
Why do we need ACYO?
Artistic Director and Conductor Marlon Daniel and a select team of International Artists Teachers offer young musicians from all Caribbean islands a unique opportunity to gain orchestra experience under the guidance of some of the most outstanding professionals in the field. The workshop is designed to provide the most optimal advancement for each orchestra musician through personal one on one and group attention in a nurturing and progressive environment.
Music and music education in our society as a necessity, not a luxury. The purpose of the All-Caribbean Youth Orchestra is to create a progressive movement toward an improvement in music education in the Caribbean and to nurture talented youth with the invaluable mentorship with internationally renowned musicians.
At the workshop students will be placed in a sectional group and work with one of the Teaching Artists.
Some advanced students will be selected for smaller chamber music ensembles These groups will be coached by the Teaching Artist and receive additional group lessons and masterclasses. In some orchestra and chamber works students will have the opportunity to perform side by side with International Artist Teachers.
All selected students are on full scholarship sponsored by their island’s government, music school and/or private foundation.
Note: Application does not give students acceptance in the 2023 Workshops. Students are accepted to the program by video performance (of excerpts listed below) and recommendation of their sponsoring institutions director’s recommendation. Acceptance is based not only on audition video but also overall potential.
The workshop is a movement to create a progressive music education system in the Caribbean like in other countries throughout the world that have nurtured their countries talent youth to great heights.