By Tanya Batson, Freelance WriterSCREAMS THAT tested the holding power of the eardrums and the boom-boom of Afro-Caribbean drums marked the end of day two of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) national music finals.
The three-day finals took place at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, starting on Monday morning.
Vere Technical High with their third performance of the day brought the competition to a close. Dressed as a motley group of characters, the students were performing Wash Day.
Tuesday saw approximately 50 contestants competing mainly in the instrumental, drumming and vocal categories. At the end of the day, 11 awards were given out to contestants and their leaders.
INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY
In the instrumental category, the Charlemont Music Society walked home with three of the four trophies handed out in the segment. The group copped the 'Most Outstanding Pop/Gospel Band' and the Most Outstanding Band Overall' awards. As a result, their band leader Nigel Powell was dubbed this year's 'Most Outstanding Band Leader'.
The Herbert Morrison High band also went home with a trophy. One of the few schools boasting an orchestra, Herbert Morrison took home the 'Most Outstanding School Band' trophy.
Waterford High, which had performed the very spirited Spirit of the Drums, earned the day's two trophies for drumming. The group earned the Most 'Outstanding Drumming Ensemble' (Juniors) trophy. As a result, their teacher Orville Lee earned the award for 'Most Outstanding Drumming Teacher'.
Five additional trophies were given out on Tuesday, all in the vocal categories. Even so, vocal performances had accounted for just over 50 per cent of the competitors of day two, with the vocal gospel category alone accounting for 10 of the entries. At the end of the day, the choir from Mandeville Primary and Junior High walked away with the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Vocal Gospel' (Juniors). It was just as well that the competition was over because the forceful screams that ripped from their throats when their name was announced should have rendered their voices useless.
PERFORMANCE
Sam Sharpe Teachers' College walked away with two of the trophies. Their performance of Ezekel Saw The Wheel earned them the trophy for 'Most Outstanding Gospel Spiritual' while Thank You Lord Hallelujah earned them the 'Most Outstanding Vocal Gospel Ensemble' trophy.
The final category for the day was 'Song from the Movies'. Andrew Clarke of St. James earned the 'Most Outstanding Song From The Movies' trophy with his rendition of Up Where We Belong. There Can Be Miracles brought the Glenmuir High School Choir the 'Most Outstanding Song From The Movies, Ensemble or Choir'.
The music finals were the second area of the performing arts to begin competition. Last week, following two days of competition, the speech finals ended. The two-day national finals in the 'Traditional Folk Forms' began on Thursday. Next Tuesday, the national dance finals will begin and competition culminates with the drama finals, another two-day event. All competitions will be taking place at the Little Theatre.
