UTT's Academy for the Performing Arts Percussion and String department studio leaders - Josh Watkins and Eleanor Ryan - had the great pleasure of meeting with experts and practitioners of Tobago Tambrin Music in Tobago on Saturday 27^th January 2018 at the Shaw Park Complex in Scarborough.

Convened with the help of John Arnold, founder and director of the Signal Hill Alumni Choir, Mr. Watkins and Miss Ryan were grateful to discuss the tambrin tradition with Rawle 'Axeback' Titus, former Tambrin fiddle player and author of the 2008 book 'Wake People Wake: The Sacred and the Profane'.

Fiddle player Lawrence 'Wax' Crooks from Royal Sweet Fingers Band shared his personal knowledge of the music and history of tambrin bands. Herbert Smith, leader of the Golden Lane Band, along with some of group's drummers, gave insights into his band's operations and activities.

The APA professors were delighted to be given a short concert of the music and a first tutorial in how to play it, beginning by learning the 'Brush Back'.

This meeting was an opportunity for UTT faculty members to begin research into this unique Tobagonian percussion and string music tradition. The intention of this project is to ensure that the music and its cultural and spiritual significance become better known, appreciated and treasured.

The APA looks forward to playing a role in ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago's music students learn to play, perform and understand this music and to support its preservation and innovation.