Telling a Uniquely Hilarian Story of Music: Adafih Padmore

Hilarian Adafih Padmore

"Before I even attended Bishop Anstey High School, I knew of their choir. Being a primary school Music Festival choir girl myself, I prayed and hoped I would be chosen as a choir member. You can only imagine the euphoria I felt when I was drafted into the Senior Choir!", recounts Adafih Padmore, award-winning musical talent and current Musical Director at Diego Martin Secondary School.

"My experience as a BAHS choir girl entirely shaped what I call the best days of my life", she muses, "Although it took me three years to acquire a coveted front row place - from Form One I was a Music Festival soloist, and that filled me with a level of school spirit and personal confidence that has only grown to this day!"

Miss Granderson and the BAHS Choir has played such a big role in shaping the woman I have become. 

"Through every experience, I knew I could count on her for support, advice, and encouragement. If it were not for her faith in me, I may not have been a music teacher today. I am forever thankful for Ms. Granderson's dedication to my development: the many lunch time and after school choir practices, her sending me to Mr. Jessel Murray for voice training." Adafih strives to emulate her mentor, whom she credits with training and supporting her through local experiences in Rising Stars and WeBeat competitions; grooming her for regional experiences as a soloist in Guadeloupe and French Guiana, and creating invaluable international opportunities for her and her peers to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Llangolen International Musical Eisteddfod, both in 2005 and 2007. 

BAHS Choir at Llangolen National Eisteddfod, 2005

As a BAHS Choir member who went to Wales both in 2005 and 2007, I can safely say that they were two of the greatest experiences of my life. 

The Eisteddfod is a world famous annual celebration of international culture, held in North Wales, where over 40 countries compete in song, dance, poetry and instrumental folk music. Trinidad and Tobago is usually the only Caribbean representative. The Eisteddfod attracts some 160,000 people annually - many of whom prior know very little, if anything of the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. Bishop Anstey High School has represented our country exceedingly well each time they competed at the Eisteddfod:

In 2005, the BAHS Choir placed fourth in the Eisteddfod's Adult Female and Youth Choir categories - It's worth noting that BAHS was the lone school choir competing in the Adult category!

In 2007, the Choir and Steel Ensemble placed third and fourth, respectively in the Eisteddfod’s Female Open Choirs and the Youth Choirs category.

In July 2016, young Hilarians of the Choir and Steel Ensemble anticipate the bright possibility of sharing music with the world at the Eisteddfod. 

They need your support to get there. 

Adafih says of her Eisteddfod experience, "I not only grew as a performer - having to rise to the challenge of meeting international standards of excellence but also the experience of living for a short while in a completely different culture with my friends was an invaluable lesson in social development and maturity. We all had to look out for each other and take care of ourselves and each other. Additionally, the cultural development and patriotism that developed as we represented our island to persons who had never heard of Trinidad and Tobago, and meeting people from Lithuania, Kazakhstan and India were such eye opening experiences." Adafih endorses, "I always encourage parents to send their children on choir tours abroad and I hope to some day take my choir on such a tour."

It's time to invest in young Hilarians, to empower and enable the talented young members of the BAHS Choir and Steel Ensemble to have the opportunity of a lifetime to make a positive impact locally and regionally and to represent Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean in an exemplary manner on the international stage. 

Click here to learn more about the BAHS 2016 journey to Wales and how you can help!

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