My name is David Robertson, but most people know me as Raf’s brother. I am the least famous of the Robertson’s. This is quite typical of my brother; he was always leaving me with the difficult jobs to do. My brother died after a brief illness, shortly after celebrating his 63^rd birthday. He lived each of those 63 years to the fullest. It has come as a bit of shock but we are deeply touched by the words of comfort and condolences from the public to his passing.

Like everyone else Raf’s life’s journey would have been inspired by personal goals and ambitions. It seems that the love affair with music began quite early for the unassuming La Brea lad with the bright smile. By the time he reached secondary school he was already involved in playing in gigs on the southern musical circuit with the Solid 7 combo.  From south Trinidad Raf journeyed to London to study music, but more importantly to broaden his horizons, by dint of his exposure to a music industry that was so much more developed and defined than the one he knew.

When you don’t know yourself, you have an illusion of yourself. Because you don’t get to see yourself.

The funeral for musician Raf Robertson will take place on Friday, 11th December, 2015 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 30A Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain at 1.30pm. The proceeding is open to the public. Robertson will be cremated, however, the cremation and repast are for family and close friends only.

Do you play pan, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, flute, clarinet, keyboards, percussion, guitar or bass?  Or do you sing?  Are you currently in secondary school?  Perhaps you recently completed SEA examinations and are about to enter Secondary School? Maybe you are a recent Secondary School graduate?  Do you wish to enhance your musical skills with a 5-week intensive programme of sight-reading, harmony, ear-training, technique, ensemble playing, theatre arts, local music history and a host of other courses to support the development of your musical talents?  If you tick any of these boxes, birdsong Academy may be the place for you when school closes this term.

As you may or may not know the Birdsong Foundation established the Scholarship Programme in 2009 to provide students with the talent, discipline and desire to pursue tertiary education the opportunity to access the funds necessary to make it a reality. Additionally in July 2011 the Scholarship Fund was launched as our response to the challenge many of our talented students have accessing quality tertiary level music education. To this end we are having the birdsong Scholarship Benefit Concert.

birdsong Academy recent participation at the Junior Panorama was a historic experience .  The Junior Panorama 2015 competition was birdsong Academy's 1st participation at the event. birdsong Academy's performance at the Junior Panorama 2015 was truly a great experience.

Oberlin Steel, based in Ohio, USA, shares their experience about their recent visit to Trinidad to experience Panorama and played with birdsong.