2003 Gospel Song Festival to be ‘best ever’

There has been a vast improvement in the standard of the festival over the years, as participants continually strive for excellence. I am looking forward to seeing the unique styles and musical techniques on display this year — Chief judge Noel Campbell

There have been various sources of inspiration which have fuelled our local Gospel music artistes as they ventured into fulfilling their musical dreams. One has been the Local Full Gospel Song Festival which began 12 years ago.

The festival, pioneered and currently headed by the highly respected Pastor Brenda Cooper, provides a splendid forum for talented artistes who need an avenue to meaningfully showcase and develop their giftings. This year’s event takes place tonight, 7 pm at Christ Castle, Chase Village, Chaguanas. For the full life of the programme, each year has seen an elevated interest over the previous one. This year there has been a record number of entrants at the preliminary stage. The number of finalists for 2003 has also been increased from 12 to 15. Once again, the stage is set for an evening of grand, anointed and enriching Gospel music. The general feeling is that this year promises to be the best ever. Pastor Cooper and her associates must be commended for the high standard they have insisted upon for their show. Her declared aim is to “highlight God-given talent that may have gone unnoticed or remained dormant or unrealised.” but this mission does not compromise quality and standards. The festival has therefore provoked participants to strive for excellence.

Like most pastors and churches, Cooper sees the Gospel Song Festival as “a medium that God has provided for the initiation, recognition and development of singing, song writing, and musical arranging.” To this end, the visionary pastor and her organisation gave hefty cash prizes to the top three finalists. This is the third year that well known arranger/producer Cleon Richardson has entrants in the competition. On the two previous occasions, songs with which his work was involved, took the first place — Angela Joseph in 2001 and Sterling Roberts in 2002. This year he intends to do it again, with as many as four of “his” contestants on the list. Two of Cleon’s entrants this year are Marlon David and Lystra Bachoo. Marlon says that the competition element “causes one to be self motivated in terms of achieving the best and striving for excellence.” Although he has a desire to win, Marlon says that whatever the results on October 18, he feels he has already won by just having the honour of being in the finals.

Lystra’s main motivation for being a part of this festival is to have greater exposure of her ministry. She sings a lot at her home church, but says that this experience would indeed open the door to another level of ministering. “Someone in the crowd shall be ministered to on that night,” she added. Finalist Ruth Ramsaran, whose song was arranged by CJ Perez, who has also had song festival success previously, says that she views the song festival as a means of ministry. “It is a great opportunity,” she says, “for the young Gospel music minister to get his/her song out there.” Another finalist, Reecia Sookraj commented, “My main intention is not necessarily to win, although I would really like to, but to minister to people in song. This would be a new experience for me.” Reecia has experience singing with the Tunapuna Youth Coral, “but this is definitely a lot different” she observed. The festival will be adjudicated by a distinguished panel of judges led by Noel Campbell (B Mus; Dip Music Ed; LRSM). Campbell has been a part of the competition since 1996. He is a music educator with over 20 years of experience. He noted a vast improvement in the standard of the festival over the years, saying that participants continually strive for excellence. He looks forward to seeing the unique styles and musical techniques on display this year. Campbell adds, “This festival is a platform for persons to obtain exposure and gain recognition in the industry.

The festival has produced outstanding Gospel music ministers since its inception.”
Contestants in this year’s event come from churches across Trinidad and Tobago.
Each contestant will do one song. The following gives a reflection of the line-up of contestants and songs.
Sybil Mendez — What you are to Me
Kezie Peters — A different Way
Lianna Fyfield — Destiny
Reecia Sookraj — I can’t go Back
Jackie La Rose — Don’t give Up
Delina Roberts — Send down your    
Spirit
Reeanna Pierre — Praise the Lord
Almaz Simpson — Calling
Lystra Bachoo — He chose Me
Ruth Ramsarran —- Breathe on Me
Jeremy Jacob — No Foothold
Christine Lapiste — Commissioned
by God
Marlon David — I’ll pass the Test
Nadine De Bourgh — Delight in Me
Renee Joseph — He Knows
Last year’s festival winner, Sterling Roberts, will give a special guest appearance.
Tickets for the show are priced at $50 and are available at Treasure House, Gulf City; Christian Educational Centre, Plaza 2001 Chaguanas; Maranatha Bookstore, Port-of-Spain and San Fernando; Revival Time Assembly, San Fernando; Miracle Store, Princes Town and Miracle Ministries, Chaguanas.