Western classical Music of Trinidad and Tobago

There is a long custom of the western classical music, both instrumental and vocal, which was dated back to the colonial period under the British. The Trinidad and Tobago music festival is a main showcase for these art types. Vocal orchestras like the steelplan and folk western groups, smaller bands, music schools abs programs and other stage concerts at places around the country, especially at the Queen’s hall in Port of Spain; the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine Campus); Central bank Auditorium (under reconstruction as of August 2011); Simon Bolivar Auditorium; churches and cathedrals; and at the current National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), which contested the construction and it was opened by the Eastern Youth Chorale in the late 2009. Famous advocators of the Western classical type which include St. Augustine Chamber Orchestra/Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic (the biggest symphony group and biggest youth group in the English-speaking Caribbean), Marionettes Chorale, The Eastern Performing Arts Fraternity and the Eastern Youth Chorale, Lydian Singers and UWI Festival Arts Chorale; the National Sinifonia and the National Steel Symphony Groups; and the Classical Music Development Foundation, among others.