New junior calypso category

A new category has been added to the themes young calypsonians can choose to sing on this year. It is called the calypso legends (dead or alive) category said Thora Best, chairman of the Junior Calypso Committee at the launch of the TUCO/First Citizens National Junior Calypso Monarch competition on Wednesday at the VIP Lounge of the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain

Other themes include humorous, nation building, family life, HIV/Aids awareness, preservation of the environment, prevention of substance abuse, national instrument, party calypso, anti-violence, social commentary and gospelypso.

The winner will receive a $25,000 cash and a trip to Barbados as guest at their Junior Monarch Final.

Second, third and fourth-placed contestants will get $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 cash respectively and fifth to 16th place will each get $5,000 cash. All finalists will receive trophies.

In total, 49 prizes are up for grabs, including scholarships to TT Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) and COSTAATT.

Wendell Mitchell, chief information officer, First Citizens (FC) told the gathering: “As a financial institution focusing on the development of young people, we are proud to support TUCO (Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation) in the staging of yet another Junior Calypso competition. Supporting indigenous culture art forms continues to play a pivotal role within FC corporate social responsibility. And so, as the country’s first indigenous bank we definitely would want to support the country’s indigenous culture, calypso being a key part of it.”

Earlier, general secretary of TUCO Wayne Mc Donald began his remarks stating: “Welcome to the future because this assembly this morning is what transcends our youths into the national stage.”

He identified a number of artistes who have all passed through the ranks of the junior monarch and who are now doing big things nationally and some internationally. He said: “It is TUCO’s succession planning. This is where we usher in the youths and put them on a path to national stars of today.”

Among those who transcended from the competition to their present calypso and soca careers are Machel Montano, Devon Seale, Karene Asche, Roderick Gordon, Kerwin Dubois, Patrice Roberts, Olatunji Yearwood, Rondell Donawa, Heather Mac Intosh, Aaron Duncan, the Hazell sisters, Erphaan Alves and reigning National Calypso Monarch Helon Francis.

Mc Donald also spoke of the origins of calypso and how it gave us a voice in the face of adversity and therefore it is important for it to be preserved. “Calypso cannot die. It is integral to who we are. It is our duty to put calypso in the books.”

Carl Thomas, schools supervisor, Ministry of Education expressed his pride “to be in the engine room of where all our calypso stars are born.”

After thanking the sponsors and recognising the hard work of the school principals, teachers and parents, he shared a story of his role in how former Junior Monarch Sergio Camejo and his brother Stephan got involved in the competition and their successes when he was principal at Sacred Heart RC. He said there are many more stories about others who are now enjoying major successes: He said: “Teachers must share those stories and that history.”

Thomas also remarked about the young competitors’ ability to write and arrange their own songs, as well as market them on social media, adding it is the way forward.

Members of the National Aids Coordinating Committee were present at the event including permanent secretary in the office of the Prime Minister Dr Ian Ramdahin, Dr Ayana Sebro (technical director), Luke Lashley and Heather Rodney (chair).