Secondary Schools Music Bands prepare for big show

Around 200 young and aspiring musicians will go to head to head on Saturday, March 25 as they compete in the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Cooperative Credit Union’s (SVGTCCU) National Secondary School Bands showcase.

The showcase, to be held at the Cruise Ship Terminal commencing at 3:00 p.m, is being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, and the Ministry of Education and will see the musicians competing in several musical genres.

The event was officially announced at a media launch held at the offices of the Teachers Cooperative Credit Union on March 7.

Fourteen schools will be on show; they are: Central Leeward Secondary; Emmanuel High School, Mesopotamia; Thomas Saunders Secondary; Bishops College Kingstown; Dr J.P Eustace Secondary School; the St Vincent Grammar School; St Martin’s Secondary School; Campden Park Secondary School; West St George Secondary; Intermediate High School; St Vincent Girls’ High School; North Union Secondary School; St Joseph’s Convent, Kingstown; and the Union Island Secondary School.

Cultural ambassador and coordinator of the event, Rodney Small said at the launch on March 7 that the concept behind the event called ‘Essence’ aims to help students get a greater appreciation for different styles of music.

Each school band will prepare a 15 minute performance around a pre-selected genre of music.

Additionally, all bands are required to create a 40 second jingle with information from the SVGTCCU which will be a judged segment.

The genres selected are: Calypso, Ragga Soca, Soca, Folk, R&B, Soul, slow jams, Paang, clean Dancehall, Reggae, Gospel, and Motown.

Small said the students will be performing for one of the largest cruise liners to dock in port Kingstown with about 3000 passengers.

Prior to the showcase, there will be a craft fair commencing at 11:00 a.m. which will transition into a pre-show from 2:00 p.m. This will showcase traditional and authentic Vincentian culture; then from 3:00 p.m-6:00 p.m, the main stage for the school bands showcase will be activated.

Small said this will create a day time to night time transition “where students will get the opportunity to perform on an intelligent lit stage and a set design that is of international standards”.

Transportation arrangements are being put in place to ensure that all students and teachers can get home safely and in a timely manner.

While the event is free, patrons will be asked to make a financial donation.

And, Small is promising excellence at the event on Saturday.

“We are very pleased and satisfied with the work that is being done already from the teachers and students, and without a doubt, we can safely say that we are going to have a breathtaking showcase.”

He said the upcoming event is creating some excitement.

“ We expect a packed venue as many persons are already creating a buzz about the event which is giving us the courage and motivation to ensure we deliver a top quality event, “ Small noted.

He commended the SVGTCCU and the Ministry of Education for their continued support.

“We salute you not just for providing phenomenal credit union services, but also making sure that you help to develop and build our nation’s youths in a holistic way. To the Ministry of Education, teachers and principals I can assure you that your commitment to this mission is not one that would be just for a moment or lost in thin air but it is one that would continue to foster greater relationships and help to develop our students to become nation builders like yourselves.”

And Small indicated to the Minister of Culture, Carlos James and members of his ministry that “…this venture is going to be one of our biggest flag ship in recent time, you can hold me accountable to that.”

While commending the management and staff at the St Vincent Port Authority for partnering with the National School Bands Showcase by providing a venue “that is in a class by itself,” Small will like to see entities in the hospitality sector offer greater support to the local culture.

“We now have about 15 bands to choose from; hire them, use them, promote them and most of all help us guide them. To…the bands and young musicians, the music industry is not one that is easy, you must be disciplined, you must be true to yourself, you must be true to the art form and most importantly love and enjoy what you do. “