Talent on show at Music Festival

JOHN BABB

ADJUDICATOR Dr Richard Tang Yuk was an envious man yesterday as he sat and judged rhythmic folk singing and a minuscule of pan playing at the championship rounds of the Music Festival.

After coming on stage at Queen’s Hall, having adjudicated some pieces, he could not help but blurt out to the audience: “You people do not know how lucky you all are. Here is beautiful weather; in the US it’s snowing and cold.” Glad to have you back Dr Tank Yuk.

Yesterday’s morning session of the Music Festival had a somewhat half-filled audience raving as their favourites sought to confirm their trophy-winning performances. The programme started by Tobago capturing the first trophy -- the Lindy-Ann Bodden Ritch trophy, won by J’meke Watkins in the Boy’s Vocal Solo (8 to 10 years). He performed the test piece, Nina Perry’s, “The Frog.”

The James Bryan Cup was won by St Paul’s Boys Anglican School Choir from the south. The Robert Greenidge Trophy for best Steelpan solo (12 years and under), was won by Joa’quinn Headley. The test piece was “My dog has Fleas”, while the Soroptomist International San Fernando Girls Trophy was won by Brie-Ann McEachrane, from the south.

When competition took place among the folk choirs, the audience came alive by the improved singing backed by full stage action. Like, “Go Way Jestina, who go married to you”, the choral action by the singers drew loud applause. The Tobago folk singing choir won the Mother Bernard Cup with their “Go way Jestina, who go marry to you.”

Then, for the first time in a local Music Festival, patrons were treated to rap talk which resulted in the Bro Resistance trophy being won by Rishaun Gordon. Bro Resistance himself made the trophy presentation to Gordon. The North took another trophy, the Esbert Aguillera Trophy 2, won by Sarah Saunders for best Recorder Solo (16 to 19 years).