Several awards have already been won in the Guyana Festival of Musical Arts (GFMA) 2011 and winners will face off in the championship competition set for today—the final day of the festival—at the National Cultural Centre.
Chairman of the GFMA Committee David H J Dewar, told this publication that trophies, sponsored by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Ltd (GBTI) will be awarded to winners of the championship.
At the opening session, on Tuesday, the Christian Brethren Assemblies Choir brought first place with “He is Alive” by Jay Althouse and “Lord of the Dance” arranged by Larry L. Fleming. In second place was St Andrews Presbyterian Church Choir with “I am a small part of the World” by Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse and “Friendship” by Theodore Marzials.
In the Vocal Duet Ladies Voices segment, “Greetings” by Mendelsohn was performed with Abidemi Seaforth and Ernesta Nelson, securing first position. The Bluejays came in at second and The Kiskadees placed third. Seaforth and Nelson won this category at the last festival two years ago.
Ladies were given the opportunity to perform a song of their choice in the ‘Songs from the Shows’ segment in which only the first place was awarded. Kimberly Samuels was awarded this title. In this same category, males performed well, as two persons were rewarded, Cecil Noble and Phillip Adams, respectively. In the Solo Steel Pan category, “Humouresque” by Dvorak was performed with first place going to Michael Smith (Snr). Gordon Richard placed second and Ray Sparman, third.
During Wednesday’s afternoon session, in the verse speaking segment, 13 and under 15 years of age, “On the Sands of Leguan” by Quentin Richmond was the test piece. Nicholas Elliot was awarded first place,
followed by Anastacia Percival and Richanna Staglon, respectively.
Antoine Gonsalves was victorious in the under 12 Boy’s vocal solo segment, with LaPhonso Austin and Chesed Griffith taking the second and third positions. In this same segment, in the 12-15 years category, no first place was awarded. Second place went to Eric Evander Hodge and third place to Ovid Marious.
Precious Jewels Nursery School secured first place in the Action Song segment, where a song of choice was performed.
Larissa and Akeela Wiltshire along with Keiann Simon and Jamaal Skeete performed extremely well both placing first in the Pianoforte Duet, Boy and Girl under 15.Waltzes from “Gypsy Baron” and “Die Fledermaus” by Strauss were performed.
There were also two first place winners in the Dramatic Poetry category for the 9 and under 11 years of age category; participants performed “The Spider” by Olive Dove. Winners were Nikhil Sankar and Chioma Archer while Simran Bissu came in at second.
“Come with Rejoicing” by Robert Leaf was performed by the under 12 years of age Sunday School Choirs category in which the Marigold Choir won first position.
In the Dramatic Poetry, 11-13 years category, “The Marrog” by R C Scriven was done with Kenzia King in first place and Lewis Anthony in second.
“In the Groove” was performed in the Pianoforte Solo, Boy or Girl 15-18 years, where no first place was awarded. Second place was awarded to Hilary Bose.
In the Recorder Solo Boy or Girl under 15 years of age, “Morning” from Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg was the test piece. The top places were secured by Althea Mc David, Ronald Chang Yuen and Markel Mangra, respectively.
In the Steel Pan Solo Boy or Girl under 18 years of age, “Ave Maria” by Schubert was the test piece. First place went to Michael Smith Jnr, while Alicia Benjamin and Vijay Sharma followed in second and third place.
Guyana Education Trust College came in at second place in the Choral Speaking Secondary Schools category. They performed “Rotation Rap” by J Darby. No first place was awarded.
The GFMA, which is supported by the Government of Guyana, began on April 26 and caters for both children and adults. Two sessions each day 15:00hrs- 18:00hrs for children and 20:00hrs- 22:00hrs for adults, saw vocal, choral and instrumental competition. Young participants competed in 32 categories, while adults participated in 29 categories. There were some 300 participants. Meanwhile, Dewar also mentioned that the first music festival of this kind was organized by the Music Teachers’ Association back in 1952.
