Drummers from Belair Preparatory School. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer THE NATIONAL finals of the annual Performing Arts competition of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) started on Monday at the Ward Theatre, Kingston.
There will be competitions covering music, speech, drama, traditional folk forms and dance.
The music finals, which lasted for three days, were the first to begin, and the only ones which will take place at the Ward. The first day of competition saw 24 trophies being awarded after a day which saw 67 items performed. No single school managed to dominate the event. Monday's finals saw performers on the recorder, pianoforte and classroom instruments as well as vocal performances.
Only two schools walked away with trophies for different segments. Papine High School managed to take home three trophies courtesy of the performances of the members of staff in the vocal segment. The school had entries in the 'Creative Folk', 'Pop' and 'Modern and Vocal Gospel' categories. They earned the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Creative Folk Presentation' for their performance of 'Conflict'. A second trophy came for the performance of 'Peace Speaker' which earned them the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Vocal Gospel Presentation (adults)'. The school's final trophy went to the director for 'Most Outstanding Gospel Teacher'.
TWO TROPHIES
Belair Preparatory School received two trophies for their recorder pieces. Matthew Blackwood received the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Recorder Solo (juniors)' for his performance of Angie's Jig and Manuel Road. The school also earned the award for 'Most Outstanding Recorder Ensemble Presentation', after having three recorder ensemble pieces making it through to the finals.
Despite Belair's double win, the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Recorder Teacher' went to the teacher of the team from Westmoreland Community Music School. Westmoreland Community Music School also earned the award for 'Most Outstanding Recorder Solo' in the intermediate category. The award went to Kamal Fullwood, who had performed Emperors Hymn and Sly Mongoose. The final award for recorder presentation for 'Most Outstanding Recorder Solo (adults)' went to Dadrian McInnis of Camperdown High School.
JUNIOR PERFORMANCES
Vees Music School took home the trophy for junior performances on the pianoforte. Kevin Kerr took home the 'Most Outstanding Pianoforte Solo' while his teacher, Rona Verona Porteous-Fletcher, received the matching teacher's award. Kerr had performed Allegro and Donkey Drive. David Chevannes of Teamwork School copped the other pianoforte award for 'Most Outstanding Pianoforte Solo (seniors)' with his performance of Gavotte In G, Melancholy and Saraband in C.
Kingsgate Preparatory and their music teacher walked away with the 'Most Outstanding Music Making Presentation' trophies for their performance of Jamaica Sinting. The performance and teacher trophies for the 'Most Outstanding Creative Music Making' went to Mel Nathan Preparatory. The school had two items which made it through to the finals, Election Eve and Rhythm Rock.
Bridgeport High School took home the trophy for the 'Most Outstanding Sound Picture
Presentation while their teacher took home the matching award. The final instrumentation award for Most Outstanding Drumming Solo Presentation went to Ocho Rios Primary.
A charming young man from Harry Watch Primary stole the hearts of the audience with his
Presentation' while their teacher took home the matching award. The final instrumentation award for 'Most Outstanding Drumming Solo Presentation' went to Ocho Rios Primary.
A charming young man from Harry Watch Primary stole the hearts of the audience with his performance of He Loves Me Too. Displaying his gummy grin and earnest expression, Rohan Boothe earned the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Vocal Gospel Solo (juniors)'. Four other trophies were given out in the gospel category.
Boundbrook Infant School took home the juniors trophy for 'Most Outstanding Vocal Ensemble' for their performance of I've Got The Joy. Bethesda Basic School earned the trophy for the 'Most Outstanding Vocal Gospel Choir (juniors)' for their presentation of God Has Not Given Us A Spirit For Fear.
Mavisville Preparatory took home the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Vocal Calssical/Semi Classical Presentation' for The Paper Boat. The two final awards presented went to Clarendon College and the group Turbo Plastic. George Gordon of Clarendon College received the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Patriotic Song Presentation'. Turbo Plastic, who played on plastic kegs and an huge steel drum, received the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Traditional Heritage Presentation'.
