Calypso Judges’ Workshop whet appetites

It was unanimous that the workshop for judges organized by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Calypsonians Association on Saturday, May 31, 2025, was worth the while and was quite enlightening.

Staged at the conference room of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cooperative Credit Union Ltd(SVGTU) at Paul’s Avenue, the workshop drew a wide cross section of the Vincentian music fraternity.

It had Vincentian, Dr Cleve Scott as the lead facilitator, with support from the Barbadian duo of Anderson Parris, and Derrick Marshall, who made his input virtually.

Accomplished musicians, Earl Martindale and Willis Williams, provided live instruments that sought to complement the discussions. Responding to the information presented on the day, Leighton Adams, an upcoming producer, said that he is a better person for having been exposed to the facilitators and the interaction from those present.

“It is the first time attending a workshop like this and I must say that it was very informative, especially from the perspective of judging criteria. I learned a lot about stage presentation, preparing props, and how an artiste performing on the stage should really bring forward their work and not get caught in the hype of overcrowding,” Adams told SEARCHLIGHT.

The same sentiments were echoed by seasoned calypsonians Elvis “Abijah” Abbey, and John Dougan.

“I like the visual comparisons and examples used with other countries, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and our situation, Abbey, a former Calypso monarch said.

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