Music: A Spanish saxman comes to Alpha, home of ska

Through its Music programme, the grace and Staff Foundation students learn such components as The nature and

saxohponist Pedro Caballero Garcia

composition of music, basic musical terms, different musical styles, the working of instruments and popular local rhythms.

An especially valuable aspect of the music programme is the partnership with the Alpha Institute (formerly Alpha Boys' School),which encompasses a number of interesting exchanges. One such was the visit of Spanish saxophonist Pedro Caballero Garcia, a guest of the Spanish Embassy who, through Alpha Institute and a local musician, conducted sessions with the students between September 18 and October 13.

As stated ,the students eagerly soaked up the interventions, but they also offered some valuable insights of their own. "It was a marvelous experience to be able to live this culture from the inside" Pedro, a lifelong ska and reggae fan, remarks, "and further to feed of the truly musical energy that the children emit. It is something I wish we all pay more serious attention to.

He has fond memories of his sojourn in Jamaica, and is eager to renew the experience. Pedro, who took up the saxophone at age six, lists Buju Banton, Chronixx and the Mighty Diamonds (in addition to Bob, of course) as among hsi favourite reggae artistes.

After finishing his saxophone studies with honors at the Conservatory of Granada (Spain), Pedrosaxo (Pedro Rafael Garcia Moreno) was a finalist in the hit TV show 'GOT TALENT', performing works by his own composition. He chose the path of personal research, delving into the study of the saxophone and new forms of interpretation, imitation of sounds, world music, as well as performance practice with professional actors in Madrid.

As a result, Pedrosaxo is a unique artist of extreme sensitivity to the world around him, able to describe the atmosphere of faraway places through the saxophone and his body, his music combines orginality and traditional saxophone.

His style as an artist and teacher, has taken him to festivals, conservatories, universities and major saxophone halls in Spain, Slovakia, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Portugal, USA, Japan... It is in his role as a teacher where Pedrosaxo provides saxophonists (all kinds of musicians) a unique experience encouraging his students to develop new feelings with the instrument, from the classical repertoire to the most modern technology taking technical and concert music to its limits.