COB music students create conch salad with a melodic twist

Fri, Oct 17th 2014, 08:54 AM

Who knew that conch salad could be so melodic? The music students at The College of The Bahamas and the faculty members who helped them create a new compilation of original and classic Bahamian melodies.
The result is a CD entitled Melodic Conch Salad, produced by the ensemble MUIN242, which will be launched today at 7p.m. at the Bahamas National Trust, Village Road.
"The most rewarding part was hearing the final version in the studio," said Lynden Sands, group member and second-year music major.
"We could not believe what we accomplished."
This is just one of the ways that demonstrates how students of The College are not only learning from the quality instruction for which the institution is known, but are using that knowledge to create and produce quality work themselves.
According to the students, the experience was fascinating.
"We could not believe what we had accomplished," Sands said.
"Overall, Melodic Conch Salad musically illustrates the process of making conch salad, from growing the vegetables to catching the conch to adding the perfect blend of spices."
Other members of the ensemble are Leslie Forbes, Elvin Hanna, Gillard Louis and Matthew Rolle II. Group members first came together in 2013 as part of COB's ensemble performance class (MUIN 255), led by Dr. Christine Gangelhoff.
For the students' final class performance, the group selected the repertoire, created the arrangements and rehearsed the program.
Group members decided that one performance was not a sufficient showcase for the music, which led to the idea of creating an album.
Melodic Conch Salad features works by Blind Blake, Tony McKay, E. Clement Bethel, Christian Justilien, and a composition named "COB" by ensemble member Matthew Rolle II, an original rake 'n scrape tribute to the group's alma mater.
Gangelhoff, executive producer of the CD, called it a "tremendously rewarding experience."
"They were up for any challenge and exceeded my expectations time and time again," she said.
"Considering this innovative recording evolved from a one-credit music course makes it all the more remarkable.
"I am extremely proud of what they have accomplished and feel confident they will serve as outstanding role models to future generations of Bahamian musicians."
Melodic Conch Salad was recorded in June of this year in Tower Heights Studio in Nassau.
It was produced, engineered and mastered by Terry Manning.
Gangelhoff and Justilien were also the musical directors.
You can listen to a sample of the Melodic Conch Salad CD on Youtube.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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