March 3, 2026 – The music plays on!
Something remarkable happens when young musicians take the stage with purpose, preparation, and the quiet confidence that comes from being part of something bigger than themselves. On Saturday, March 7, the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO) invites the public to witness that energy once again as it presents the eighth edition of its signature concert, Playing to Inspire, at the American University of Antigua Conference Centre at 7:30 PM.
Now firmly established on the national cultural calendar, the concert continues ABYSO’s mission to nurture musical excellence while opening doors for young artists in Antigua and Barbuda.
Presented under the Distinguished Patronage of Their Excellencies Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams, this year’s concert brings together an exciting blend of local talent and international collaboration.
The ABYSO and the Inspire Youth Choir will share the stage with members of the internationally acclaimed Kanneh-Mason musical family, whose mentorship and support have played an important role in the orchestra’s development.
The international lineup includes Antiguan & Barbudan British vocalist and songwriter, Laurent John, and Sydney Haskins, a soprano from Jersey and a second-year music student at The Queen’s College, Oxford University, who performs regularly as a soloist and was named PwC Young Musician of the Year (2023) in her home island.
The evening will also welcome visiting musicians from Dominica, Montserrat, and Jersey in the Channel Islands, creating a musical exchange that stretches across the Caribbean and the Atlantic. Among them is Sydney Haskins, a soprano from Jersey and a second-year music student at The Queen’s College, Oxford University, who performs regularly as a soloist and was named PwC Young Musician of the Year (2023) in her home island.
Guiding the orchestra will be Principal Conductor Ryan Bancroft, who has been working intensively with the young musicians in the lead-up to the concert. Alongside him is Junior Orchestra Conductor Sophie Biddell, whose leadership continues to nurture the next generation of performers within the programme.
This year also marks an exciting moment of renewal within the orchestra itself. Sixteen new junior members have recently earned their seats in ABYSO, stepping into what many young musicians view as the “big leagues” of youth music in Antigua and Barbuda. Their arrival speaks to the orchestra’s steady pipeline of talent and its commitment to developing young performers.
Behind the music lies a wider story of discipline, mentorship, and community support. The achievements of ABYSO reflect not only the dedication of the young musicians themselves but also the investment of their families, teachers, corporate partners, and private donors who continue to sustain the programme. The enduring involvement of the Kanneh-Mason family, who lend both their name and their time to the initiative, further strengthens the orchestra’s international connections.
The programme’s growth has also been guided by the vision and leadership of the ABYSO management team and board, under the direction of High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill, whose work continues to position the orchestra as one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most important platforms for youth in the arts.
For audiences, Playing to Inspire 8 offers more than an evening of beautiful music. It offers a chance to witness the next generation of Caribbean musicians stepping confidently onto the stage, sharing it with artists from across the region and beyond.
The stage is set, the orchestra is ready, and the excitement is building.
All that is missing is the audience.