Community College Carolites take Glen Jackson Challenge Trophy

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Carolites out sang five other choirs to win the Glen Jackson Carolling Challenge Trophy in the 2023 Christmas Carolling Contest held at the Russell’s Auditorium on Tuesday, December 19.

The group of 30 performers wowed the audience, online viewers and judges, with their melodious rendition of ‘Carol of the Bells’, on their way to capturing the Best Traditional Song title. Their original song, written by Utamu “Bongo Prime” Rose, was also well received and brought about nostalgia as the choir reflected on the “old time days” during their energetic delivery.

For taking the top spot, the SVGCC Carollites, in addition to the trophy, also won a voucher for lunch at La Vue Boutique Hotel and Beach Club and a $3,000.00 cash prize.

Placing second in the competition, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development, and Culture, was the Layou Development Committee, while third place was won by Finance Sweet Serenados from the Ministry of Finance.

The Best Dressed Choir award went to the Health in Voices from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and the Best Original Song Arrangement award went to Finance Sweet Serenados.

The contest, which was originally scheduled to be held at the Botanic Gardens ‘9 Nights of Lights’ on December 16, was moved to the Russell’s Auditorium due to the inclement weather, resulting in near waterlogged conditions at the Gardens. It was held under the theme ‘Spirits Lifted’.

The event got off to a late start, with performers out-numbering the number of patrons, while Minister of Tourism and Culture Carlos James was notably absent although he was listed on the programme.

The other competing choirs were the Embassy of the Republic on Taiwan, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with the Bagga Nine Mornings Committee and the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force being absent from the proceedings.