Questelles Government holds independence celebrations

Pupils of the Questelles Government school this year continued the legacy of excellent performances through their celebrations of the Nation’s Independence.{{more}}

This year, dance instructor Maxine Browne was out pursuing higher education overseas and this has left a dance vacuum at the school. However, this was suitably replaced with pan, beautiful, symphonic, pulsating rhythm. Last year, national icon Kenneth “Vibrating Skakes” Alleyne left the pupils begging for more, but his absence also was not a distraction because the parents packed the hall to celebrate and capture their children/wards performances.

MC Maurecia George led off the programme with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by 2 patriotic songs. Grade 1 students were the first to grace the stage, presenting some of the national symbols: the anthem, pledge, flag, court of arms, flower, dish and bird.

As expected they had problems with their enunciation, but they made up for this through their dynamism and enthusiasm. They broke into the song ‘Gypsy in the moonlight’ and ‘Sally go round and round’. These, however, were performed without dance or drama; nevertheless the performances were given rousing applause by the appreciative crowd. Grade 1s were still not through; 4 students portrayed our post-independence prime ministers. Mitchell and Eustace were apparently out of state and had to be deputized and Gonsalves, who was immaculately attired, forgot his lines. Cato’s representative was outstanding and true to form.

Fourteen grade 3 students depicted the seven pre and post-independence flags, with their relevant histories. This information aroused much curiosity from the audience and this was new data for many present. They were then joined by the rest of the colleagues and performed a medley of songs. “Aunty Narnie” was quite demonstrative.

Steel pan music is captivating in any form, so when the students who are members of the Symphonic Steel Pan” did a medley of songs, it had that effect on the audience. Lead player Jonice Hamlett rolled the notes well and the harmony replicated that of a seasoned group.

It is always difficult to follow exceptional performances, but the Grade 4s’ presentation of the only choral speech for the morning “Independence” was equal to the task. It was dramatic and well punctuated, with relevant and appropriate hand and body movements. The crowd was very appreciative especially knowing that it was written by our very own “adopted” teacher Suzette Hoyte.

Toddlers require patience so the Kindergartens took their time to make their delivery. 6 persons gave brief synopses of the towns. They were shy, but not afraid and made their teachers and parents proud. They rendered Beckett’s “I love you SVG”. An overenthusiastic student held on to the microphone; she wanted to be heard giving notice that she might be the next rising star in SVG.

Another well rehearsed piece was delivered by the Grade 5 classes: “St. Vincent, Island of sun”. Pan was done in harmony and so was this song, compliments Whitney Houston, sorry Whitney Lewis. They followed this with ring games. This event was nostalgic to those persons over 40 who grew up without internet. These were the activities that kept us socially connected. However, the very young audience could not appreciate these games but applauded the outstanding performances.

“Compay com leh we labour,” rendered by Grade 2s was a quiet, controlled collective performance, reflective of our colonial past and not our robust independence rally.

Grade 6 must have been threatened by “Stalin’ because all class members were present and the best was left for the penultimate, at least so we thought. “ We nah ah go back ah Soufriere” was dynamically presented with drama, action and voice intonations, reflective of another well-prepared piece.

The staff brought the curtains down with “Bum Bai”. Like many before, this was not well rehearsed and some testified to this by missing the beat, but the other staff members nullified these and had the audience in stitches calling for more.

The talented musicians, Commissiong on drums, and Coombs on Guitar, kept the programme upbeat.