The Trinidad and Tobago Music Foundation was established in 1986, with the goal of establishing a National Youth Orchestra in Trinidad and Tobago. We are grateful to the Canadian and Venezuelan embassies for their early assistance with this project. The continued development of our national Youth Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago (NYOTT) remains the single focus of the efforts of the T & T Music Foundation.

In the beginning, tutors and conductors were provided by the Venezuelan Embassy, but, from 1991 to present, we have been able to draw on the talents of local musicians and musicologists including Gerry Gemmot, Sat Sharma, Kenneth Listhrop, Pat bishop, and Dexter George. Under the tutelage of these talented individuals, the orchestra boasts a rich performance history, the highlights of which include:

• Performances at the Hilton Hotel and at the President's House for the visiting Venezuelan President (1987).

• Official re-opening of the Naparima Bowl (1990).

• Performance for then Venezuelan president, Andres Perez, at Caracas Hilton (1990).

• Orchestra members stage "South Pacific" with the Naparima Girls school (1991).

• Benefit concert for NYOTT violinist and pannist, Liam Teague (1992).

• Strings and Pan ensemble perform at a luncheon for H. R. H. Prince Edward (1992).

• Orchestra invited to open Music Festival (1993).

Since returning home in 1996 with a Bachelor's degree in Music performance, former NYOTT Principal Clarinetist, Kerry Roebuck, has taken over the helm of conducting the NYOTT. Under his guidance, the NYOTT has significantly expanded its performance repertoire.

The NYOTT's season now runs from July of one year to May of the following year, with members receiving a break for the month of June. Bi-weekly rehearsals continue to be held in Port-of-Spain at Queen's Royal College on Saturdays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and in St. Augustine at the University School, on Tuesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. if you are musically inclined and would like to audition for membership in the Orchestra, contact Kerry Roebuck at (868)-633-7188.

In addition to requested engagements, the Music Foundation now offers a standard roster of concert events featuring the NYOTT, and which include a Mother's Day special, (offered as thanks to the parents of Orchestra members), a Christmas concert, and a Chamber recital.

The highlight of our year, and the primary source of our funding, remains the August Workshop Concert, which this year will feature the virtuosity of former Orchestra member, Richard Tang Yuk, now the Director of Chorale Studies at Princeton University.

Richard has taken a break from his busy schedule abroad to return home and perform with the NYOTT. We would like you to support our efforts by purchasing tickets for the concerts, which will be held on Saturday August 22, at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday August 23 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets for Saturday evening cost $30, and the Sunday Matinee costs $25. Tickets will be available at the Queen's Hall Box Office from Monday August 17, 1998 or by calling any of the following numbers:

628-3683; 628-5705; 622-9307; 632-6307; 652-4573.

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