CHOGM 2013 brought with it the largest group of international musicians to visit Sri Lanka as part of The Commonwealth Resounds! programme.

Alison Cox established The Commonwealth Resounds! in 2005 in an effort to provide an ‘umbrella organisation’ that would create opportunities for international musicians and enable them to share their ideas. The group promotes music and musicians across the Commonwealth through collaborative events worldwide with a particular focus on young people and the developing world.

“Until this time, musical support and development was not something that the Commonwealth had been able to offer,” she told the Mirror Magazine, explaining that a lack of funding still meant that projects are always run on a shoestring, involving “amazing, generous musicians” who are willing to work as volunteers.

Though the programme and even the need to find their own funding allows young musicians a chance to learn new skills and have new experiences, Alison is keenly aware that this is a big thing to ask of underpaid professional musicians who struggle to earn a living at the best of times. “I have enormous admiration and respect for all those who have helped me develop ‘The Commonwealth Resounds to its current level,” she says. In Sri Lanka, the organization staged gala concerts and workshops around CHOGM but Alison says the real highlight was meeting so many talented local musicians. Meet some of the young musicians of Commonwealth Resounds!

Polly Emilia Scholte-Sikorsky, aged16

I’ve been at the Purcell School of Music for nearly eight years and am now doing my AS levels. Our trip to Sri Lanka was my first experience as being part of The Commonwealth Resounds! and I have been fundraising for the Sri Lanka trip from just over 1 year.

The project has definitely been worth all the efforts of fundraising as there has been enjoyment in all the activities we have done to raise the money. Yes the events did take up some of our time and we had to work hard, but playing in concerts together with the team, busking at Christmas time, baking and selling cakes etc was all immense fun. Even if it had not been it would still have been worth it as the trip was one of the most interesting, fun and rewarding things I have ever done. I have always enjoyed travelling and have done a lot, but this was my first trip to Asia and I had never been anywhere like Sri Lanka before so it was very special and eye-opening – I learned a lot!

Best of all, it was lovely to experience everything we did on the trip with some of my closest friends and the trip is going to be something we can always remember together for the rest of our lives.

Emily Rose Ann Brown, aged 16

I was brought up surrounded by music; my mother was a singer and my father plays jazz guitar. When I just turned 7 years old, my brother who was 10 at the time had just started piano lessons. After a couple of teachings, I decided to give it a go because I thought it was the ‘cool older-sibling’ thing to do. Little did I know I would be sitting here 9 years later explaining how it all happened!

I was one of 3 pupils who had the amazing privilege of performing at the Royal Dinner organised by Prince Charles and Camilla for the 54 Heads of Government. It was a surreal experience to be in such an important setting with helicopters flying above and security around us. I also met the lovely Presidents of Samoa and Nauru who talked to me about music.
This is my sixth year at the Purcell School, and I have been in lots and lots of concerts such as in Italy, London and other multiple venues, but my trip to Sri Lanka was by far the best experience of my musical life – not only because it was a gorgeous country to visit, but also because it was a life lesson too which I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

Alan Mofti, 16 years old

I have always wanted to travel and to get an opportunity to do it with a project linked to music and cultural exchange was fantastic. I had some of the best times of my life over there and it was definitely worth it!

It was better than I could have ever imagined! The people were wonderful and welcoming (I have many friends now!) – the food was amazing – the country was absolutely stunning and the whole thing was just like a dream! I also enjoyed hearing my specially-composed fanfare performed by the Commonwealth festival Orchestra on November 15 at the Nelum Pokuna theatre. The only bad thing was that it only lasted two weeks! I hope to return soon.