The Highly Strung Quartet from the UK completed the first week of their 12-day tour of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with high praise for their performances held so far.

An enthusiastic audience of some 150 persons at Government House on Wednesday were delighted by the unannounced guest appearance of local Vincentian violinist Leo Anthony. Closing remarks by Minister of Urban Development and Culture, René Baptiste, expressed the ‘dream’ of a Youth Orchestra in St. Vincent.{{more}}

Those persons attending the 50th anniversary of the Kingstown Chorale on Tuesday evening, at Roy’s Inn had a surprise ‘taste’ of what was to come in the concerts when the Highly Strung Quartet performed three pieces from their repertoire.

In Mustique, on Friday, three members of the Quartet responded to a request from the Principal of the Primary school to talk to the children about their own instruments and play a few notes to demonstrate the sounds of different instruments. To the delight of the children and teachers the group also gave a brief impromptu performance. Later that evening, visitors to Basil’s Bar described the Quartet’s performance there as ‘a welcome and rare treat’ and expressed the wish that the four string players would return soon.

Performances this week included an interlude of classical music at Government House on Sunday, February 19, a schools’ concert at Peace Memorial Hall on Wednesday 22nd and two further performances for schools in Troumaca and Georgetown followed by workshops for violin teachers and their students. The Quartet returns to the UK today.