Rhythmix sounds high note at Music Fest

It was a musical high note for those in attendance at the finals of the National Lotteries Authority 15th Music Festival at the Peace Memorial Hall last Sunday March 20.

The best of the best squared off. But copping the Most Outstanding Performance was the pan group, Rhythmix Steel Orchestra for their flawless rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony 1st Movement. They also copped Best Instrumental Ensemble.{{more}}

Best Choir/Ensemble in the religious category went to the melodious all female group Cantemus with their piece of “How Majestic is your Name.” Jillian Charles with her heart-rending powerful piece “His Eyes are on the Sparrow” took best Vocal Solo in the religious/popular category

The young Victor Job, with his skillful fingers on the piano captured the Best Instrumental Solo with his rendition of Bolero.

Best Solo in the category soprano/mezzo soprano/contralto or baritone went to the petite but talented Nerissa Ballantyne with her piece from Porgy and Bess called “Summertime.”

The harmonious voices of Andrea Gaymes and Sherika Sayers got the adjudicator’s’ nod for their delivery of “Over the Rainbow.”

The Best Original Composition saw a tie between the well-blended voices of the all male group from the Community College called Eclipse and Dottie Horne’s dubbing style did not fail him as he brought some humour to the hall with his original piece “Vagrant Thing.”

Best Choir/Ensemble in the folk category went to the lone competitors in that category, El Groupo Amistad, with their beautiful arrangement of “Compay Come Leh We Labour.”

Adjudicator Joslynne Sealey applauded the Music Association for including original and Dub/Hip Hop categories in the festival. She advised that this would help the public to know what is happening with the latest in this genre, which the young people seem to love and to guide them appropriately. She said she would always have fond memories of this festival and thanked Vincentians for their warm welcome. She also wished the festival and the Music Association growth.

Chairperson of the Music Association, Beryl Richards thanked the attendees for supporting the organization and expressed hope that a larger facility would be acquired to accommodate comfortably the growing audience.

Sponsors of the event, National Lotteries Authority, represented by Chairman Murray Bullock congratulated the organizers for reviving the festival, which he said continues to be very entertaining.

He said although the Peace Memorial Hall has become too small to host this event, the Lottery was proud to have re-constructed the building, which he said had been disrespected and abandoned for years by the former administration. He noted that the Lottery takes their mandate to promote and develop culture seriously. This, he said, is demonstrated in the $25,000 contribution they have made.

Two members, Secretary Jean Duncan and Treasurer Hugh Huggins, who gave outstanding service to the Music Association were appreciated with plaques for their contribution to the development of the organization, which was founded in 1956.