A Saint Lucian music educator is one of ten conductors from around the world chosen to take part in the first choral conductors course by El Sistema (National Network of Youth and Children Orchestras of Venezuela).
Robert Rene, who teaches music at Canon Laurie Anglican Primary School and leads the National Combined Schools Choir, called the opportunity a personal milestone and a source of pride for Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.
“This recognition means so much to me,” he said, calling the honour “a high achievement”.
Rene believes his selection shows that local work is getting international attention. He said, “It means that our work is being recognised,” and pointed to efforts to raise standards in the National Combined Schools Choir. He feels the invitation is proof that these efforts are being noticed.
The course will run for one week and is expected to help him improve his technical and leadership skills in choral conducting. He explained that conducting takes clear direction and communication, saying, “you have to lead a group of singers” and make sure they “understand your gestures” and stay “in sync with you”. He is especially focused on improving his technique, saying it will be “very important for me to master the gesticulation”.
Along with performance technique, Rene looks forward to learning more about music analysis. He said, “it’s absolutely important for you to know and to understand your music,” including what composers intend and the meaning of musical symbols. He is confident about the training, saying, “I believe that I will be delving into all of the rudiments of conducting during this course.”
Rene is also thinking about how his experience will benefit music education in Saint Lucia. As music coordinator for Education District Two, he works with 13 schools and plans to share what he learns with other teachers. He said, “I am going to pass on that information to my teachers, who will, in turn, reach thousands of students alone in District Two.”
The National Combined Schools Choir, which he leads, will also benefit. The programme trains 35 to 45 students each week, and he plans to use the new techniques in his teaching.
Rene sees this as a key moment for choral music in Saint Lucia. Looking back on past achievements and recent challenges, he noted there has been a decline in choral music.
Rene is also focused on long-term growth and sustainability within the sector, as he expressed a desire to develop strong, professional music institutions that can prepare musicians for global opportunities. His vision is for local talent to be equipped to perform anywhere in the world, stating that they should be able to “survive in any orchestra around the world”.
Rene gave special thanks to those who helped shape his career, saying he “would not have arrived at this particular place in my professional development”.
He thanked John Bailey, Jason Joseph, Nikkita Alexander, Merlyn Innocent, Beverley Dieudonne, Archdeacon Christian Glasgow, Venezuelan Ambassador Leiff Escalona, Geraldine Lendor-Gabriel, El Sistema, and the parents and students of the National Combined Schools Choir.
