Students stand out in Oistins as lunchtime series continues

Students from eight secondary and primary schools showcased their performing talents at the Oistins Bay Gardens on Wednesday, in the third concert of the Ministry of Education’s lunchtime concert series.

Opening the curtains was a group of 30 students from St Mary’s Primary School who made their debut appearance at the event, which is part of the Education Month calendar of activities.

A notable performance came from Talissa Mottley who sang Put Down De Gun, a clear message to Barbadians on the heels of a spike in gun crime.

Nine-year-old Rakyra Phillips of St Catherine’s Primary, singing Goodness of God, showcased her soft but powerful voice.

Akibe Wray, a 14-year-old Deighton Griffith Secondary School student, captivated the audience with her rendition of Greatest Love of All, a song made popular by the late Whitney Houston, and ended with a jaw-dropping performance of  Lullaby of Birdland, a 1952 jazz melody sung by Sarah Vaughan. She attributes her knowledge of different genres of music to theatre classes she took outside of school.

A group of junior students from Luther Thorne Memorial Primary, led by Creative Arts teacher Pauline Fenty, gave an exciting and engaging performance of Big God and Praise. Their teacher said the song was part of the normal worship session at school and the group will perform it at NIFCA next month.

The Harrison College pop band of eight, led by vocalists Maegan Carter and A’shariah Waithe, performed the popular Tems song, Free Mind and Etana’s I am Not Afraid. The singers were accompanied by alto saxophonist Aaleyah Bryan, Nicolas Murrel on trumpet, Tayte Waterman on bass, pianist Avery Frederick, percussionists Aiden Clarke and Micaiah McCallister, and Justise Neuhoff on keyboard.

Also performing were dancers from The Lodge School who showed their flexibility as they moved to the sounds of soothing music.

Following the modern dance display was a group of 25 Class 3 and 4 students from Reynolds Weekes Primary, led by music teacher Tania Clarke singing Bajan songs such as Beautiful Barbados, Pack She Back To She Ma, John Belly Ma, and a medley of recent soca music. The students will also be performing at the NIFCA on November 2.

Students from the Lodge School performed Blue Vex, a choral speaking piece highlighting children’s emotions in response to adults’ behaviours in today’s society.

Also from the Lodge School was popular junior calypsonian, Kadarius King K Allen performing Real Boys Does Cry, one of his songs from this year’s Crop Over Junior Calypso Monarch competition.

Bringing the curtains down on the event was the Combermere Steel Orchestra led by Mark Forde, with hip-swaying songs and tunes that captivated the small crowd at the Oistins Bay Gardens.

Next week’s lunchtime concert promises to bring a much larger group of students who will be presenting on the lawns of the Ministry of Education.

(LG)