A Memorable Performance at Budleigh Music Festival

On a July summer's day, 11 talented young musicians from Future Talent had the unique opportunity to perform at the Budleigh Music Festival. The ensemble, including Myeongsuk, George, Klara, Nahuel, Yuma, Cole, Allegra, Elizabeth, Yoko, Robyn, and Mila, travelled from near and far to share their passion for music to a full audience of over 200 local school children.

The performance at Budleigh Music Festival was the world premiere of Ataya Sonata, a new piece by the renowned Kora player Seckou Keita. Guided by conductor Jason, our musicians and audience learned that Ataya Sonata draws inspiration from the act of tea-drinking at different times of the day. This concept brought a unique cultural flavour to the performance, enriching their understanding of the diverse sources of musical inspiration which is prevalent throughout the complex rhythms and syncopation in the piece.

Seckou introduced the Kora, a traditional instrument from West Africa, with strings made from fishing line. He shared its rich heritage and the craftsmanship involved in its creation. The performance itself had a blend of rhythms and a multitude of different instruments. The schoolchildren showed great enthusiasm as they responded with plenty of excitement and applause – with some even pretending to play their own Kora! We hope that the schoolchildren in attendance were inspired by the performance.

After the educational performance, our young musicians and their families took advantage of Budleigh’s seaside location. Some even ventured into the water for a paddleboarding session and swimming, while others enjoyed games on the beach. The day was filled with laughter, ice cream, and even a mischievous seagull that managed to steal an apple from one of our group!

This day at the Budleigh Music Festival was an exploration of new music and different cultures, and an opportunity to engage with a younger audience and act as role models. We are incredibly proud of our musicians for their dedication to this project, and grateful to Seckou, Jason and all at Budleigh Music Festival for their invaluable contributions to this unforgettable experience.

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