Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Students of Herbert Morrison Technical, St. James perform 'Great Day' at the JCDC Festival 2005 national finals, held at the Little Theatre, St. Andrew, on June 28. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
HERBERT MORRISON Technical High, Montego Bay, left the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) national music finals on a very high note. After four days and over 200 performances, the school placed first in the competition, which ended on Friday, July 1, at the Little Theatre, St. Andrew, where it had begun on Tuesday morning.
On day four, the competitors are also adjudged as the best of the best over the entire competition. As such, the top three are ranked, and best teachers from the classes, as well as the top male and female soloists in the competition, are also selected.
The representatives of the school went home heady with victory having received several of the category and class awards. The school had been particularly successful on day three of the competition, when they snagged a total of nine awards.
SIX FOR CHAVANNES
Six of these awards were earned by David Chavannes in the recorder, all-wind instrument and pianoforte categories. He earned 'Most Outstanding Intermediate' and 'Best Overall Performer' for all three categories. His schoolmate, Mikhail Johnson, had also scored quite well in the solo recorder category and was given a special award by the judges for his accomplishment.
The school's recorder ensemble also struck gold, earning the intermediates trophy for 'Most Outstanding Recorder Ensemble', as well as the 'Best Overall Recorder Ensemble' award for their Bat Medley. On day two, the school's orchestra had earned the 'Most Outstanding Band Presentation' trophy for their rendition of Invicta.
As a result, the school's music leader, Carl Matthews, was named the 'Most Outstanding Teacher - Intermediate'. The win came with a plaque and $10,000. The cash, a new addition to the competition, has been made possible through increased sponsorship. The award for 'Most Outstanding Senior Teacher' went to Devon Case of Clarendon College, while Kevin Worgs of Knox Junior School earned the junior trophy.
Clarendon College, Clarendon, also had many golden reasons to celebrate, having placed second in the competition. Their greatest successes had arrived on the first day of competition when they earned the trophies for 'Most Outstanding Intermediate' and 'Best Overall Pop and Modern (Jamaican Composers)' presentation with their rendition of Disciplined Child.
A lively bass-driven rendition of Down By the Riverside, performed by the school's staff, also brought them victory, taking the 'Most Outstanding Senior' and 'Best Overall Song from the Movies' trophies.
Charlemont High, St. Catherine, took the third place in the competition, having steadily earned an impressive stash of trophies over the three days. Each school received a trophy and a keyboard for their accomplishment. Indeed, several CD players and instruments (keyboards, guitars, and recorders) were given out over the four days to those dubbed 'Best Overall'. Dwight Sanderson, music specialist for JCDC, continually urged that these 'incentives' be used to further improve performances.
Both soloists dubbed the most impressive of the competition were in the intermediate category. Abby Gayle Dallas of Bridgeport High received the award for 'Best Female Solo Presentation' and Ardenne High's Joel Wright earned 'Best Male Solo Presentation'. Both received a one-year scholarship to Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
