THERE is a new competition in town this year as part of the Carnival season. And, it is aimed at nurturing the future of Soca music and fostering the further development of the art form.
Quality Entertainment with the endorsement of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports last week launched the first ever National Inter-secondary Schools-Groovy and Power Soca Competition
According to Jamal Albert Cyril of Quality Entertainment, it has always been a dream of his to stage such an event. He said: “I see this as wanting to contribute to the growth of the art-form and its development and for us to start creating a bigger pool of performers in the genre of Soca.”
With the assistance of an experienced production team, he assured that an event of a high standard will be staged come July 2. The event will be held on the grounds of the National Cultural Center and has been endorsed by the Carnival Planning & Management Agency.
Present at the event launch were representatives of DIGICEL, LUCELEC, Flow and Piton Malta who have all embraced the event. Speaking at the launch, music curriculum specialist in the Ministry of Education Jason Joseph said it brought a smile to his face to see so many sponsors coming on board so early in support ,of an initiative aimed at young people. He thanked the organizers for the initiative, stating that after years of having a junior Calypso competition, he had longed for the extension of a similar Soca competition for schools. “And I happy to see that this day has finally come,” he said.
So far 14 schools have indicated that they will be participating in the July 2 event. They are: George Charles Secondary, Corinth Secondary, St. Joseph’s Convent, Bocage Secondary, Entrepot Secondary, Gros Islet Secondary, Choiseul Secondary, Vieux Fort Secondary, Marigot Secondary, Vide Bouteille Secondary, Sir Ira Simmons Secondary, St. Mary’s College, Castries Comprehensive School and Clendon Mason Secondary.
The winners of the competitions (Groovy and Power) will receive as follows: First place-EC$1000 plus Trophy and recording deal with Studio 758; Second place – EC$500 and a trophy plus a voucher from CFL; Third place – EC$300 and a trophy plus a voucher from CFL.