Voces Jovenes is 2016 Parang Champs

The group which hails from Pearl Gardens, Petit Valley, copped the coveted title from a field of eight competitors It was obvious from the moment the band was called to perform on stage that they were a favourite for the title.

There were even louder cheers when they completed the two competition songs ‘Maria’ and ‘Una Sola Voz,’ Lead vocalists for the band are Candice Corbie and Eric Gomez and Voces Jovenes gained 135 points, a two point difference between them and the second place winners of Chaguanas based band La Familia de Carmona y Amigos, which also created history for their group.

They earned their highest spot in the national competition by placing second in a tie with Voces de Promesa. Fourth position went to Los Buenos Parranderos.

This was the first national competition by NPATT since 2010 and president of the organisation Larry Denalli addressed the reason for the lengthy absence.

“There were a number of reasons; a number of challenges in terms of funding. The grant in 2010 was one million dollars. I produced that show. After we got a million, the following year we got $380 000. That could not reproduce something of the magnitude of the previous show. From then to now, we were given $125 000 to keep our show. Could we produce a show of that magnitude with that money? I’ll answer that for you. No!” Denalli stated that he requested an audience with the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly seeking consultation regarding NPATT’s way forward.

Minister Dolly was not at the show and neither was any other minister of government. Arima Mayor elect Lisa Morris-Julien attended Saturday’s Parang finals.

Nine-time NPATT Parang champion Los Alumnos De San Juan was visibly absent from the competition. One member of NPATT’s Committee stated that the band did not fulfill of the registration requirements. Also missing from the competition was Amantes De Parranda. They are in a rebuilding process and decided not to compete.