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Line-up for Scotiabank Junior Monarch Competitions Semifinals

Semifinalists and in this year’s Scotiabank Junior Monarch competitions drew for their positions to determine their order of appearance when they face the judges on Sunday, July 7 at the National Botanical Gardens.

At 6 p.m. on that day, 13 competitors in the calypso category and 13 in the soca category will vie for to be named a finalist. 

The two draws, calypso and soca, for the Semifinals were held today, Tuesday, June 18 at the Scotiabank Junior Monarch Media Launch & Draw at the bank’s Warrens, St Michael branch. There were two position exchanges, one in each category. Three contestants had representatives pull on their behalf.

Contestants in the Calypso category pose with Managing Director, Scotiabank Barbados Suzette Armoogam – Shah (centre) and Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts (left).

Event producer Kevin Moore Music Officer at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) told the gathering that there were interesting stories coming out of this year’s competition.

“We have five newcomers and 12 schools represented. We also have four self-penned pieces, which showcases the development of not only the singing and performance skills within this programme, but also the writing exponents as well. Further to that point, we have songs being written and arranged by former Scotiabank Junior Monarchs and Competitors, namely Kymorhi “Overcomer” Trotman and Dondria “A@-lee-yah” Forde,” he explained.

Event Producer NCF Music Officer Kevin Moore speaking about the Junior Monarch Competition

The NCF officer praised Scotiabank for their continued support. Present at the launch were Managing Director, Scotiabank BarbadosSuzette Armoogam – Shah; Chief Financial Officer, Scotiabank Barbados Kiyomi Daniel; and Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts.

Moore added: “Throughout the course of this developmental programme, each participant will receive invaluable training and coaching in areas such as preparation for stage, vocal techniques, basic music business and financial planning. These sessions are executed in conjunction with Scotiabank, our long-standing sponsor and major supporter of the arts.”

The Junior Monarch competitors benefit from seasoned and established artistes such as The Most Honourable Stetson RPB Wiltshire, TC, Ian Webster, Mac Fingall, Lisa Howell and Rochelle Griffith. They share their knowledge and advise to facilitate artistes’ development and through the mentorship process, along Grateful Co as a former Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch.

Seven finalists will be chosen to face the reigning monarchs. Should the monarchs not compete, eight finalists will be chosen. The two reigning monarchs are Calypso Monarch Sakara and Soca Monarch Tae. The junior queens must notify the NCF, or their intent to defend or not defend before the staging of the Semifinals.

Positions for Semifinalists in the Scotiabank Junior Monarch 


CATEGORY: CALYPSO
 PositionGiven NameStage NameSong
1Kenzaz WalkerBit BitPut on a Show
2Rashonna BrowneShonna BGreen
3Haylei WiseHailstormBeautiful Nation
4Relissa Mitcham N’KylaRunaway
5Deyonte BrathwaiteYonteSchool Days
6Alyssa CumberbatchQueen AA Prayer for the Youth
7Khalijah KellmanKhaleesiGirl Unseen
8Charity MurrellCharityWaste
9Kadarius AllenKing KReal Boys
Does Cry
10Sabiah GaskinSabiah Real Heroes
11Trinity Clarke
Trinity
No Joke
12Rimiya WilsonMajestic MayaWe Need You
13Eden MurrellPotentHOPE

Reserve


Joshua GibsonJoGiving Thanks

CATEGORY: SOCA
 PositionsGiven NameStage NameSong
1Jade RoachLeilaniHome
2Kari-Anne Holford-SamKariSweet Pan
3Kymani DevonishMr ShowmanReady
4Ranesha StewartRanesha StewartRoad Call
5Joshua OxleyJosh OxPandemonium
6Talisa MottleyTalisa MottleyPut Down
The Gun
7Joshua BlackmanJoshua BTaking It Down
8Israel SavouryJohn BossHeart Beat
9Sephon SealyLil StathisBring It
10Rojani Shurland-Agard
Rojani Shurland-AgardCompany
11Kyle BishopTwin BoyObey
12Jayden InnissJayden InnissWelcome Home
13Jazarie Belgrave
Zarie B
What’s Wrong with You?

Reserve


Taquan Jackson-JonesTaquanExercise

The Scotiabank Junior Monarch Tent 2 will be staged this Saturday, June 22 at the Queen’ s Park Steel Shed at 6 p.m. Admission for is $10 for children and adults.

Tickets are available online on TicketPal.com and at the National Cultural Foundation, Lucky Horseshoe Warrens and Worthing, Abbeville Rockley, NU Look and CS Pharmacy Bridgetown, Emerald City Six Roads, Carlton Supermarket Black Rock, A&B Music Supplies Wildey, SmartStore Limegrove and Welches and Ah Touch of Class Lanterns Mall. (PR)

Culture

BEADING WORKSHOP FINISHES TODAY


Bishop Tarambawamwe runs Master Wire and Beadcraft, a South African company specialising in providing high-quality bead and wire products to both the local and international market. From growing up in Zimbabwe playing with wire cars as a child, to taking inspiration from nature for his amazing designs, he now brings his expertise to Barbados. The workshop features an all female group who will benefit from hands on training while learning how to monetise their new skillset on the way to becoming entrepreneurs.

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Culture

International Songwriting Camp

Twenty-eight cultural practitioners have reaped significant benefits from the International Songwriting Camp produced by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF).


Following intense practical, developmental and professional exercises facilitated by local and global premiers, the NCF-registered practitioners now have an increased understanding of the craft of global song writing, knowledge of publishing and songwriting, placements, licensing, and synching among other areas.


The sessions were held between September 30 and October 5, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre where participants and producers had access to portable studios to turn penned lyrics into musical renditions of different beats and genres.


On Wednesday, the participants went on a field trip and were required to write a song for a commercial.

And on Saturday night, a listening session was held at the Sage Bar and Stage featuring the songs written and produced during the camp.


Singer and songwriter Casheda Dottin said she was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the comprehensive camp which has left her with a wealth of knowledge and skills which will take her career to another level.

“I am grateful to the NCF for bringing about this initiative to help creators improve their craft. It was such a phenomenal experience because not only were we able to do songwriting workrooms where we were working with different people, but every day we were able to experience working with different producers,” Dottin said.

She added: “And it was also interesting to see how I was able to gel with other writers and singers to create music. It was far from easy and sometimes it was very intense but we were all still able to work together to produce some wonderful music.”


Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marley Kirton said it was an amazing experience obtaining advice and gaining knowledge from experienced professionals in the field.

“But at the same time it was so powerful to get to collaborate with local artistes who are established, growing, or trying to discover their careers. This camp is a reminder of the potential and talent among the younger generation here on the island.  My biggest lesson is learning not to hide my talents and that you should share them with those around you,” Kirton said.


The NCF came in for high praise for hosting the first songwriters camp of its kind which supports the realistic execution to reach the global standard which lends to reciprocation to earning sustainable income and reaching international standards.


Grammy Award-winning producer and composer Che Pope commended the NCF for investing in its creators.

“I don’t know if you realise that this is luxury. Many countries don’t have a ministry of culture and an NCF. There are only so many countries that invest in and care about the talent and the arts in their country.

“The US [United States] does not have a ministry of culture, the US does not give grants like Canada and places like Barbados. I hope you guys understand the opportunity that’s at hand,” Pope advised.


Composer, songwriter and producer Henk Pool was also impressed that the Government is investing in its talented young people.

Pool said while he would have passed on knowledge to the participants, he also benefited from interacting with them.

“I think the openness, warmth and talent of people was amazing. I travel around the world facilitating song writers’ camps everywhere and I would love to see Barbados song writers travelling around the world because the talent is absolutely there. They just need the chance to network and that’s why I love the Barbados government for doing this,” Pool said.


United Kingdom songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Wunderlich, signed to DWB Music, said this was his first time visiting Barbados and noted that working with the cultural practitioners during the camp helped him to gain a wealth of knowledge about the island’s culture.

“We have been sharing ideas and creating songs that are completely unique. No one has ever heard anything like the music created during the camp because this hasn’t been done before,” Wunderlich said.


Meanwhile, Business Development Officer, Music and Music for Film, at the NCF, Lisa Howell, said the successfully executed camp was well-received by the cultural practitioners who began reaping results from the first day.

Howell said the practitioners are now in a better position to write and produce internationally marketable songs.

“So I would say yes we met our goal for this round and hopefully we have the support to continue to facilitate programmes like this. Barbados rose to the occasion. I am really thankful that we had some of our local premier producers and songwriters facilitating. We had Dr Stedson ‘RPB’ Wiltshire who was so invested in showing up every day,” Howell said.

The business development officer added: “We had local producers like Dwain Antrobus, Peter Coppin, Darien Bailey and Simon Pipe who were also facilitators. So we not only brought in global experts in their field, but we also showed our own local premier practitioners in their respective fields and that made us feel good as the National Cultural Foundation.”  (PR)

Caption: from left to right – Singer/Songwriter Munirah Nailah, Gospel Artiste/Songwriter/Producer James Cumberbatch, Singer/Songwriter Dania, DWB Songwriter/Producer Pete Barringer, Songwriter/Producer/ Gospel Art

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Culture

BPS Crop Over Do-Flicky Costume Competition Winners Announced

Five winning teams have emerged from the recently held prize-giving ceremony of the inaugural ‘Barbados Postal Service (BPS) 2024 Crop Over Do-Flicky Costume Competition’.

The winners hail from the Post Offices of St. Joseph; St. George; Welches Road; St. Philip and the General Post Office in Cheapside.

The overall winner of the competition is the eight-member team of the General Post Office’s Accounts Section, who each received an Island Safari Tour. Second place went to the Welches Road Post Office, third was the St. Philip Post Office, fourth was the St. George Post Office and fifth place went to the St. Joseph Post Office.

Winning Teams (flanked by BPS management), of the inaugural ‘BPS Crop Over Do-Flicky Costume Competition’, from the GPO; Welches Road PO; St. Philip PO; St. George PO and the St. Joseph PO.

Postmaster General, Joann Busby, in her address to the winners, stated, “We look forward to many more events like this in the future, celebrating both our history and commitment to excellence.”

Concept Creator of the competition, BPS Marketing Officer Neiai Hall said, “This competition aims to showcase the creativity and cultural expression of our staff, through costume design and performance. The theme of the competition is rooted in our rich heritage and the vibrant spirit of Crop Over.

On left – ‘BPS Crop Over Do-Flicky Costume Competition’ 2nd Place Winning Costume, On right – ‘BPS Crop Over Do-FFlicky Costume Competition’ 3rd Place Winning Costume.

“We have encouraged participants to design costumes that not only display their creativity but also incorporate elements that represent the services offered by the BPS”.

The judging criteria consisted of Sustainability; Creativity; Depiction of a BPS Service; Originality; Portrayal; Video Creativity and Originality; Practicality and Inclusivity and Descriptive Write-Up. 

Plaques were presented to each of the winning teams and the St. Joseph Post Office also received the Postmaster General’s special award for Outstanding Advertising Video in the competition. (PR/GIS)

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