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The four young musicians from New York City who form the Renaissance String Quartet made a huge impact when they came to Jamaica last year May for a charity concert called Beyond Boundaries. They’re back, with the intention of giving even more.
Beyond Boundaries II, another concert for charity, will be held at the UWI Chapel, Mona, on Saturday evening. The proceeds from this year’s event will support the restoration of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the 180 Degree Foundation, and the Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) Symphony Orchestra
In an email exchange with me, Randall Goosby, the leader of the ensemble, stated that “Jamaican music and culture have been a huge inspiration” and that his group is “grateful for the opportunity to bring classical music to a very special place with an iconic musical history”.
He pointed out that a highlight of this trip will be a two-day workshop with the Steven Woodham-led ICHS Orchestra.
“We had a chance to hear them play last year and were blown away by the level of talent we saw in the students. We are giving two student concerts leading up to the main Beyond Boundaries II event. These interactive concerts will be free to public schools, as our goal is to make classical music more accessible to diverse audiences,” Goosby said.
Sharing how things will be different this year, in terms of the feelings of the quartet about coming again as well as the music planned, Goosby noted that “the reception of classical music by the Jamaican people was the most surprising”.
“In the land of reggae and dancehall, we were a bit nervous to be performing an unpopular genre, but the Jamaican audience was the most enthusiastic and appreciative crowd we have ever played for. Last year’s programme included some classics: Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms; as well as Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley arrangements by our cellist, Daniel Hass. This year, we’ll be sure to incorporate Bob Marley, and highlight more diversity of composers such as Florence Price and Jamaica’s very own Peter Ashbourne,” he said.
The quartet comprises Goosby, a violinist; Daniel Hass, cellist; Jeremiah Blacklow, violinist; and Jameel Martin, on viola. The quartet was formed after more than a decade of friendship while they were studying in The Perlman Music Program and The Juilliard School.
Since their visit to Jamaica, the quartet made its European début, performing in London and Amsterdam, and recently gave a lecture at the Institute for Advanced Study, in connection with a concert at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, New Jersey.
Their stated aim is to acquire a diverse repertoire of classic, under-represented, and new works, to reclaim, redefine and continue the musical traditions of a variety of world cultures. Recipients of a 2024 career grant from Salon de Virtuosi, the quartet is featured on WQXR, New York City’s premier classical music radio station.
Goosby came to national attention early, making his début with the Jacksonville Symphony at age nine. At age 13, he performed with the New York Philharmonic on a Young People’s Concert at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, and became the youngest recipient ever to win the Sphinx Concerto Competition.
He was first-prize winner in the 2018 Young Concert Artistes International Auditions. In 2019, he was named the inaugural Robey Artiste by Young Classical Artistes Trust in partnership with Music Masters in London, and, in 2020, he became an ambassador for Music Masters, a role that sees him mentoring and inspiring students in schools around the United Kingdom.
English (US) ·