By Colville L. Petty

My first thought was to stay home and rest. For it was a waste of time going to a concert to listen to one artiste, a teenager, playing a flute for a whole long hour while I keep wiggling around on a hard bench. It isn’t worth it, I told myself. It would be too boring. Give me calypso any day. Yet I ended up at the concert.

It was at the St Augustine’s Anglican Church, East End, on late Sunday afternoon 19th November. I attended it for two reasons, basically. Firstly, to show appreciation for the noble work of Morlens Music Studio. Under the directorship of Lennox Vanterpool, it is nurturing young people through music. It is harnessing and guiding their energies into character-building and creative activities. Secondly, I went to the concert to show support for our young people. They need to know that adults are behind them and are appreciative of their efforts for the betterment of themselves and the good of Anguilla.

I was more than glad I went to the concert. I would have been extremely disappointed if I did not, because Shermel Richardson, the flautist, put on a real wonderful performance and I would not hesitate to go to another recital of hers. Her presentation exceeded my expectations by far. It was stunningly awesome. She held the audience spellbound with her beautiful renditions. They were flawlessly delivered. Shermel came across as a real professional and certainly made her parents, and all who had the privilege of seeing and hearing her perform, exceedingly proud. And she seems destined to make all Anguillians proud in a big way.

As I listened in amazement to her tremendous musical performance a feeling of joy filled my inner being. Because I had come to the realisation that in spite of the many problems we are experiencing with our youth, all is not lost. We are still producing some wonderful young people. Through music. We are still finding flowers in our desert. Shermel is one of them.

As she played her flute, I reflected on what a beautiful young lady she is: a real peach. Music obviously played a great part in the shaping of her personality. It had to. After all she was exposed to it from the tender age of seven years.

The beauty of her music is definitely reflected in her physical appearance and in her character traits. She strikes many as a most wonderful young lady, well-mannered and a good role model. Indeed, there is power in music. Music produces beautiful people.

I am of the view that Anguilla would be a much better place if more of its children were exposed to the playing of music. It builds self-esteem and self-respect. It is intellectually stimulating. As a matter of fact, some psychologists are of the view that children who play music excel academically; and that membership of musical groups, such as choirs, orchestras and other bands, instils the value of unity and team spirit in everyday life. In short, the playing of music does much in producing well-rounded people.

That is precisely what Morlens Music Studio is doing and it should be highly commended. Its impact on Anguillian youth is being felt in a big way. During the coming weeks, the Studio will be showcasing the talent of several of its other students in concert and I urge one and all to make a special effort to attend. Go and enjoy beautiful music played by our own children. Go and see the blossoming of flowers in our desert. There is still hope.

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