Tobago turns up the heat at queen’s hall

PERFORMING with a rhythm to make patrons dance, Tobago’s very own Rhythmic Vibrations turned up the heat at Thursday night’s 26th Biennial Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival. Venue was Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, where the troupe from the sister isle took centre-stage in Class 75b — Calypso Chorale — with choreography, to convincingly capture the Joslynne Sealey Trophy II, for its rendition of “Pan In A Minor” from the musical bible of the late Grand Master Lord Kitchener and “Fire, Fire,” by Calypso Rose. Listed to appear second among two other contenders for that award, Rhythmic Vibrations, outfitted in black trousers and yellow t-shirts with a symbol of a flame emblazoned on it, blazed the competition in this segment of the night’s programme.

With tuneful singing, coupled with expressively tasteful and well-thought out dance routines, the Tobago representative had the edge for its packaging. Various aspects of its choreography generated comic relief among the audience. When Prof Melvin James Hurst rose to his feet to announce the award recipient, he deviated and said: “We wonder (Dr Douglas Miller and I) if our lives will ever be the same, ...So much creativity. We were looking for three elements in this category: the chorale tone, the variety in the texture and the accompaniment that enhanced the singing and timber.” Going up against Rhythmic Vibrations were Maisha-Zuri Performing Choir (south) and Prizkell Folk (north). The latter choir offered Shadow’s “Dingolay,” and the 2004 Road March “Look The Band Coming,” from Shurwayne Winchester. The Winchester composition also formed Maisha-Zuri’s two-song repertoire. “Bassman,” another Shadow composition was its other musical item.

Apart from the battle the Joslynne Sealey Trophy II, patrons were treated to performances from competitors vying for seven other awards. Tobago opened the night’s proceedings with Music Amateurs winning the Evening News Trophy in Class 74a — Contemporary Religious Music Choirs. “The Battle of Jericho,” was its tune-of-choice. The South Trinidad Music Association Trophy went to Alicia Sebro (north), the lone contestant in Class 81 — Recorder Solo — Open, while the duet of Jenise Monsegue and Vanessa Marcus (north) won the Edward B Henry Memorial Trophy for their presentation of the test piece “Brazileria from Scaramouche,” by Milhaud. The duet was also the lone contestant for that prize. Tobago was again in the spotlight when Glorious Sounds Ensemble offered “Hymn of the Brotherhood,” by Beethoven to win the Laurence F Mc Dowall Memorial Trophy.

The Cynthia Alfred Cup went to the St Hilaire Family in Class 66 - Family Class for its rendition of “Climb Every Mountain,” from the Sound of Music. Viola soloist Nariba Herbert’s development as a musician with remarkable potential, was clearly visible, following another fashionable performance at the festival. For her breathtaking rendition of “Blues for Benni, she was awarded the Albert Kerr Cup. For a second consecutive night, the Lydian Male Choir toppled the female section of the choir, as well as the Point Fortin Community Chorale. This time around, however, the three choirs competed for the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Cup. The male choir, under the direction of Pat Bishop, performed the test pieces “An Evening’s Pastorale,” by Wilfrid Shaw and “What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor,” by Parker and Shaw.