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Gala start to Music Festival
T&T Newsday, by JOHN BABB Tuesday, February 12 2008
BECAUSE OF the abundance of talent in this country,
President George Maxwell Richards on Sunday night again
called for a World Music Festival to be held in Trinidad
and Tobago.
While being aware that it would involve a lot of work,
the President, who first made the suggestion at the
opening of the last Festival two years ago, hinted that
it was not an impossible task if the TT Music
Association, took up the challenge seriously.
President Richards was at the time declaring open the
28th Music Festival at Queen’s Hall.
The Festival. which has grown by leaps and bounds over
the years, had a gala opening with a most appropriate
programme of top class performances.
Apart from the seasoned Marionettes Chorale, which
brought the curtains down on the night’s programme,
Festival patrons were also quite impressed at the growth
and accomplished music from Golden Hands Steel Ensemble
under the directorship of Franka Hills Headley. By the
time the band had played the final musical bar, the
youngsters won a standing ovation, particularly from the
two Festival Adjudicators, Professors Mary Legge and
Melvin J. Hurst.
From what started as “four or five little kids on the
steelpan”, the band has really grown in stature. Ir
continues to look for a sponsor.
During the opening addresses, Dr Dorrell Philip spoke of
Festival Committee plans that involved giving
performances in different communities during the year.
She urged teachers as well as parents to take on a
leadership role in helping the Committee accomplish its
goals for the next two years. She also urged the private
sector to support the Festival Committee.
Professor Mary Legge expressed thanks to those who have
been making her stay an enjoyable one. She pointed out
that she had been “rescued” from 37 inches of snow in
Canada and said she was looking forward to listening to
the talents of a musical nation.
Her colleague, Professor Hurst, who previously
adjudicated in Trinidad and Tobago four years ago, also
expressed thanks for the “rescue” from 30 degrees
temperatures.. He said he was looking forward to the
days ahead “as we press each other on the road to
excellence,” before emphasizing “music does really
enrich our lives”.
Richard Young, managing director of Scotiabank, who
spoke on behalf of the Festival’s Four Golden Sponsors –
Scotiabank, bpTT, TTEC, and Petrotrin – paid tribute to
the work of the Festival Committee, and recalled the
years when the Committee had the backing of Scotiabank.
Minister of State in the Culture Minister, Donna Cox,
who spoke on behalf of Minister Marlene McDonald, paid
tribute to the Committee and urged the participants to
excel.
Under the directorship of Jessel Murray, the National
Sinfonia Orchestra opened the show, leading the way with
full orchestral sounds on a number of classical pieces,
including “Nostalgia” which was arranged by pannist Liam
Teague with orchestration by Gary Gibson. The band also
played Leonard Bernstein’s orchestral piece from “West
Side Story.”
Then came soprano soloist, Jeanine De Bique, accompanied
by pianist Lindy Ann Bodden-Ritch.
De Bique, who has won music scholarships; has her
Bachelor’s Degree, and is currently pursuing her Masters
at Manhattan School of Music, exhibited her range of
tonal quality by first launching into Handel’s “Piangero
la Sorte Mia” followed by Debussy’s Ariettes selections,
“C’est L’extase”, “II Pleure dans mon Coeur”, “Green”,
and “Spleen”. She also did some Negro Spirituals which
allowed her to show off her vocal range good breathing
technique. It was no surprise that she won standing
ovation from the Queen’s Hall audience.
Seasoned and qualified accomapanist, Lindy Ann Bodden
Ritch also played a piano solo.
Another Music Festival graduate, Jerome Dinchong on the
piano, exhibited masterful dexterity on the keys when he
played Debussy’s “Prelude pour le piano,” Chopin’s
“Waltz in A Flat major opus 69 No. 1”, and another
Chopin piece, “Polonaise in A Flat opus 3.”
Then followed Golden Hands Steel Ensemble, leading off
with their Carnival piece “Hooked”, composed by Mark
Loquan, Destra Garcia and Ken “Professor” Philmore. The
piece was arranged by Philmore. They also did a
classical piece to show their versatility.
Following a 15-minute intermission, the Marionettes
Chorale, directed by Gretta Taylor, capped an
outstanding programme with pieces that included Elton
John’s “Aida”.
The chorale showed off its soloists in Marlon De Bique,
Lorie Boes, Jacqueline Johnson, Gillian Seecharaan
Scott, and Megan Pollonais, coupled with dancers with
complete choreography.
The curtains came down as MC Richard Pierre paid tribute
to the performers.
Now it’s on to work for the two adjudicators for the
next month, climaxing into the championship sessions
which begin February 29. |
